I wanted to really like this film from Melissa Painter as I had seen the trailer several times here in West Hollywood at The Laemmle. Just the thought of a young man on a journey to find his mother and redeem his past was the motivating factor for me to see the film. Any man, or woman, who has wanted to find closure with either of his parents is an important factor personally for me.
However, perhaps it was in the casting of Danny Alexander as Jake that at once threw me. Handsome, hunky young actor, but so New York. As much as I wanted to empathize with his journey, Danny as Jake was not real to me. Danny/Jake was too sharp, smart and not convincing to me as the protagonist.
Hunter Parrish as Tucker was too lame for me. Okay, I know this is a small town in the West, but to be that naive was against my knowledge of young men today who watch television, cable and know what is happening in school. To be that nice, and not begin to question Jake's motives didn't buy for me.
And mother Cara Seymour seemed to be a "Mom in heat" the whole film, while her husband, John Terry, seemed unreal, way too nice, innocent to be a man believing Jake's story.
This is an important journey for a young man attempting to find his mother who really is a merciless hooker, and I wanted to buy the whole journey, but in the end, I couldn't. And that last frame of the handsome Danny Alexander-oh yes, now he is Jake-with the haircut and walking down to tap his mother on the shoulder who turns around and NOW smiles....Hello, I DON'T THINK SO...
Sorry Melissa, I wanted so much to love your film STEAL ME, but in the end I couldn't steal a moment of empathy for Jake/Danny...
However, perhaps it was in the casting of Danny Alexander as Jake that at once threw me. Handsome, hunky young actor, but so New York. As much as I wanted to empathize with his journey, Danny as Jake was not real to me. Danny/Jake was too sharp, smart and not convincing to me as the protagonist.
Hunter Parrish as Tucker was too lame for me. Okay, I know this is a small town in the West, but to be that naive was against my knowledge of young men today who watch television, cable and know what is happening in school. To be that nice, and not begin to question Jake's motives didn't buy for me.
And mother Cara Seymour seemed to be a "Mom in heat" the whole film, while her husband, John Terry, seemed unreal, way too nice, innocent to be a man believing Jake's story.
This is an important journey for a young man attempting to find his mother who really is a merciless hooker, and I wanted to buy the whole journey, but in the end, I couldn't. And that last frame of the handsome Danny Alexander-oh yes, now he is Jake-with the haircut and walking down to tap his mother on the shoulder who turns around and NOW smiles....Hello, I DON'T THINK SO...
Sorry Melissa, I wanted so much to love your film STEAL ME, but in the end I couldn't steal a moment of empathy for Jake/Danny...