Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Limerculer A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Greg Note to all you first time filmmakers that embark on the journey of making a low budget horror or thriller film – 'Keep it Simple'.If only more directors without much funding would take this to heed we would get more films like Long Pigs and Sympathy and less like The Landlord and Dead Noon.This was not lost on director Andrew Moorman who took a smart thriller by writer Arik Martin and turned it into a very competent and highly entertaining film called Sympathy.The beauty of the film is in its simplicity. The story has but three characters and all takes place in a motel room. That is where a suggested bank robber named Tripp (Steven Pritchard) brings his hostage Sara (Marina Shtelen) and handcuffs her to the bed. While trying to formulate an escape plan, Tripp's getaway is interrupted by Dennis (Aaron Boucher), an escaped convict who coincidentally end up in the same room with multiple agendas.In a film style that clearly pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock and Brain DePalma, the three characters will spend an evening revealing depths of their personalities while setting in motion an intense cat-and-mouse game convoluted with bulging egos and personal motivations.To further obstruct a clean getaway, characters will be shot, stabbed and emotionally tormented as the story unfolds revealing characters that are not whom they appear to be. The final chapters will include a blood soaked ending that will remind you of an early Tarantino work and a satisfying end to an evening's odyssey.Kudos to director Andrew Moorman for not trying to squeeze more out of the intelligent script than what was pressed onto the straight to DVD release. His directing was able to hide from this seasoned reviewer a reveal that I didn't see coming (granted it wasn't M. Night-ish, but it still generated a 'wow' response).When producing a movie with one setting and limited characters, it is important to have strong acting to accompany the script pages or all is lost. Pritchard, Shtelen and Boucher put on believable performances even if the acting is at times uneven. Shtelen in particular starts off weak, but by the end of the film, she plays the role of Sara with a seasoned confidence.Revealing any specifics would be an injustice to anyone who follows this review with a screening, but as low budget, independent films go, this one ranks in the top tier.www.killerreviews.com

shark-43 I can't believe the gushing reviews for this film - it has to be relatives or friends of the filmmaker and/or cast and if so - I get it. I understand how you want to support an effort by friends and there is some talent behind the film but NOT Hitchcock for crissakes. Get a hold of yourself. Now if it is true that a bunch of locals made this in a barn structure in Indiana - that is impressive to pull this all together and get it made. But the script and the two male leads reek of bad college experimental theatre - lots of screaming and then threatening whispers - guns and knives being pointed - just lame Tarantino posing. The girl - who is handcuffed to a bed most of the picture gives a solid performance - she's believable - you look in her eyes and see wheels turning but the two male actors just seem like amateurs - not believable at all - you can yell all you want but I don't believe for a second that you are dangerous. And look - the film got released on DVD - that's big - that will get it seen by a lot of people but people who have nothing to do with the production - just film fans who paid money to rent it or buy it and they are entitled to say what they think - and I think it is a good effort but overall - it drags and sputters and doesn't really work overall.

buckeye_fan_525 I recently attended a very special night at the movies. In Yellow Springs, Ohio the director of this film returned to his hometown to present it to one of the more enthusiastic crowds I've ever been a part of at a movie theater. Some were there to support the filmmaker, others had heard about it through the local press the film and its director had received, and it seemed some just stumbled off the street, caught by the image of this girl on the poster. Regardless of how we all got there, much like the characters in SYMPATHY, I don't think any of us had any clue what we were getting ourselves into! This film is... Wow! I don't know how else to describe it. Taking place all in one room the premise sounded a little arduous to sit through, but the movie never leaves you bored in any capacity. In fact, I still have claw marks on my arm where my wife gripped me most of the night. While I don't consider myself a critic or anything more than your typical and occasional movie goer, I do think this film was masterfully directed by its young director. After the film he spoke with such insight, enthusiasm, and charm it seems no mystery that it would end up like this, but based on what he said it wasn't an easy battle to get there by any means. That being said, I applaud all the artists behind this film for whatever they went through was worth every minute. They've created a film that I'll never forget. The cast was especially incredible for what the director described as 'first-timers.' The bankrobber added the needed levity to the film, the girl was unbelievable as images of her covered in blood will not soon leave me, but the standout performance for me was the escaped convict, Dennis. I hope to never run into this guy in a dark alley as his psychotic nature and portrayal of a true psychopath was the most convincing I've seen since Hannibal lector. Also to mention his finale, which I won't give away, was so riveting I think it deserves whatever awards they give out for such an act. My wife said she couldn't take her eyes off the screen, but she had to look away, that seems like a good combination for this genre. All and all I sincerely hope this film makes it to theaters across the country so they can experience what we did that night - a night at the movies we weren't expecting, and we'll never forget. The director had mentioned in one news article that he used to attend this theater because they played the types of alternative films that transported him to a different time and place and made him realize what a movie was capable of doing. Kudos Mr. Moorman, you've now done that thing you once admired to us. Amazing work everyone, can't wait for the next one!

horrortrucker People need to see this film! Sympathy's unlike any film I've ever seen. It's horrific, but it's not a horror film. It's filled with twists & turns, but it's not just a thriller. It feels like a Hitchcock movie, but it's not dated. It just feels alive. It pulls you in and never lets you leave, literally. The film all takes place inside a dingy motel room, one of the few I've ever seen in movies that actually looks and feels like a real dingy motel room, the kind we've all stayed in. I don't know where they shot it, I saw the outside for a split second at the beginning of the film but never again. The sense of claustrophobia I felt for the hour and a half is unbelievable. By the end I was glued to my seat for what I think is the best final act I've ever seen in an independent film -- but I couldn't wait to leave. I saw a matinée of the film in the middle of the afternoon, but when it ended I had no clue what time it was. I stumbled out of the theater I had to rub my eyes and b-line for the door, where a smoggy LA day never felt so refreshing. It was truly an experience. Unexpected for a movie I'd never heard of by a filmmaker & actors I've never heard of. But fear not, they all turn in a really stunning performance in my eye. The acting is as solid as I've seen in a long time, some really grounded character work. The director thank god never fell into that music video style almost every horror film has now that I hate. Instead there were some things I'd never seen before. The whole thing is just honest. I looked up the film's website and it finally makes sense. It's a group of kids that shot the movie in some barn in Indiana and worked on it for three years. That passion spills onto the screen. I highly recommend anyone who loves horror films, independent films, or just great films see this one. I think it's only playing in this theater in LA (Wilshire Fine Art, had never been but cool old school theater). It's been a long time since something like this hit the screen, I hope Hollywood either let's them expand this to a wider audience or make another one, but the same way they made this one. An incredible film!