New Jersey Stage - September 2014 | Page 73

FILM REVIEW: A Public Ransom By Benjamin Poole, TheMovieWaffler.com The premise of A Public Ransom is intriguing in its noir-ish machinations. Steven (Carlyle Edwards - a pseudonym for the writer/director, Pablo D’Stair) is a failing and embittered writer who happens across a shabby looking missingchild poster with the image and number scrawled in childish crayons. Believing the poster to be a joke, yet idly wondering if there could be an idea for a story in the situation, he calls the number. The mercurial Bryant (Goodloe Byron) SHARE BUTTON answers, and laconically informs Steven that he has, in fact, kidnapped a young girl, going on to demand $2000 from Steven, or else the child will die. Unsure of Bryant’s integrity, Steven begins a communique with him, and is soon drawn into a game of psychological cat and mouse as Bryant proceeds to invade all aspects of Steven’s life; most insidiously by beginning a sexual relationship with Steven’s only friend, Rene (Helen Bonaparte). Visit us online at http://www.NewJerseyStage.com pg 73