I got to know of Felon thanks to my usual movie research,
which depicts an almost tragic tale of a family man who gets convicted of
murder, while trying to protect his family from an intruder. From there on it’s
just all downhill, with the lead character Wade Porter played by Stephen Dorff,
being consistently in the wrong place at the wrong time; starting with the
incident in his home, his bus ride to prison, the twisted prison security
guards, and the financial troubles suffered by his family. Stephen Dorff does
splendidly in his role, strikingly displaying the emotions of surprise, dealing
with harsh change, attempting to run with things, suffering intense anguish,
and utter desperation. His wife Laura
Porter is played by Marisol Nichols whom I remember seeing last in Vegas Vacation, playing a teenage girl.
Considering the stark difference in characters played, it’s evident that she
has good range, and does very well in the role of the young confused mother in Felon. Porter’s cellmate, John Smith,
played by Val Kilmer came as a surprise, as I could barely recognize him in the
older, bulky avatar. In the movie he serves as a friend and mentor to Porter,
and perhaps a hope of sorts. Last but not least is Harold Perrineau of Lost fame, who plays Lt. Jackson. His
character is interesting, in the sense that he is a normal man, with a family,
and deep love and affection for his son. At the same time, there is also a
twisted frustrated side to him, which is a classic case of a people not
necessarily being bad, but letting morals slide and giving into the corrupt ways
of the world. Credit goes to writer and director Ric Roman Waugh, for a movie
that serves as a reality check. Though what it depicts is far from
extraordinary, it touches upon some interesting values, through the narrative,
and strong characterization. While I doubt its deep drama setting will work for
everyone, Felon is worth the watch,
unless you’re looking for something light and entertaining.
My Recommendation: Watch It (A drama that reminds us of
the harsh realities of life)
