ROAD TO THE WELL
(a film review by Mark R. Leeper)

CAPSULE: Two friends, recently reunited after years
apart, take a road trip to bury a dead woman, currently
in the trunk of their car. On the way they come across
some really unpleasant people and obstacles to overcome
in their dubious mission. The plot moves slowly enough
for ROAD TO THE WELL to qualify for mumblecore. Later
it picks up a little. But writer/director Jon Cvack
does not try to rush it. This is a thriller and it has
some thrills, but it needed more, and they needed to be
introduced earlier. Rating: high +1 (-4 to +4) or 6/10

Frank, played by Laurence Fuller, is in a soul-crushing job
somewhere around Las Angeles. Privately he hates his job and he
hates his boss. Frank's boss has decided to send Frank to the
unpleasant northern branch. Frank is not happy about the
relocation but does not have the spine to refuse, even after he
finds his wife and boss in bed together. Frank knows he wants some
kind of change in his life. But arriving on the scene is Jack
(Micah Parker), Frank's old friend. With a bit of a pep talk Frank
is having sex with an attractive woman, Ruby. But wouldn't you
know it, while Frank and Ruby are having sex in the parking lot
someone kills Ruby. Frank would be an obvious suspect for the
police.

Jack suggests that Frank bury the corpse himself somewhere up
north, accepting Frank's relocation north. Then the woman will
seem to have just disappeared, and nobody will look for Frank.
Jack and Frank begin a macabre road trio north to take Frank to his
new job, to see some old friends, and to dispose of the body. That
is an absurd situation that might have been the basis for more
humor. Somehow the humor of the situation is just not there.
Writer/director Jon Cvack creates mostly unpleasant characters.
That approach can work from some writers. Here it gets a little
tiresome in the early parts of the film.

If the story was handled with a little more comic verve and
perceptive observations of its characters, this ROAD TO THE
WELL has the makings of a reasonable comedy. Instead it meanders
and risks the viewers' frustration. The story takes too long to
get going and then is short on action. It meanders along slow and
a little overly talky. Eventually we get to know both Frank and
Jack somewhat better, but that just makes the talk a little more
interesting. It is no substitute for action or suspense. Laurence
Fuller remains a sort of empty character throughout and we get the
feeling that Jack is a bit shifty. But neither really pulls the
viewer into their characters. On the other hand Marshall R. Teague
takes acting honors as Dale, an intense character who is ex-
military and whom the boys run up against late in the film.

If this film had been wound a little tighter, with maybe the
dramatic tension of a BLOOD SIMPLE, the film would have worked.
And as more of a comedy it might have worked. At times, mostly
near the end, there are moments of tension, especially those
involving Dale who plays cat and mouse with Frank and Jack. The
North California scenery is a nice bonus and well shot. But the
film could have stood to be more tersely edited rather than dragged
out to 108 minutes. Somehow it needed more crackle. I rate it a
high +1 on the -4 to +4 scale or 6/10.

Film Credits:
<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4085066/combined>

What others are saying:
<https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/road_to_the_well>


Mark R. Leeper
Copyright 2017 Mark R. Leeper

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