The taught drama Galveston is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD/Blu-ray Combo. One of the better dramas of 2018 it’s a cringing film that will have you intrigued from the opening frame to its heartbreaking ending. It features excellent performances by Ben Foster and Elle Fanning as they become the center of a double cross, revenge and retribution.
Roy Cady (Ben Foster), a hitman/collector for the mob gets called in by the boss Stan (Beau Bridges) to collect some cash. He gets to the residence for the pick-up and a shootout begins with Roy nearly getting killed. During the melee he notices a young woman (Raquel played by Elle Fanning) tied to a chair. Roy prevails and with the hit men lying dead he unties Raquel and flees the scene with her. Realizing that the hit was really meant for him by his boss, he takes off on the run with Raquel while trying to figure out why he’s being targeted.
The story goes on from there with Roy being pursued by the boss’s men, Raquel revealing her past and both looking for a way to survive. Director Mélanie Laurent creates characters that emote giving realistic views of their roles as they try to evade death, get revenge and move on with their lives. It’s a challenging job being at the helm of a compelling film, especially getting your actors to portray damaged characters and she has draws out their best work. She nails the scripts roles, getting another great performance from Ben Foster and even upping the work of Elle Fanning.
She begins her film with hurricane Gilbert hitting Galveston in the 1990’s, while it’s a warning of things to come, it also represents the unpredictability and the consequences within the storyline. The fight scenes are very realistic and the fine chemistry between the actors make for a heart beating storyline that may even elicit a tear or two. But the emotional scenes are only a part of it as Laurent certainly knows how to make the action scenes work.
Foster transforms himself into another tough cookie in a performance equal to Tanner Howard in Hell or High Water and Steve McKenna in The Mechanic to name a couple of his films. He reaches deep inside his dark side here depicting Roy a man who has lost his spark for life and turns to doing dirty work for the mob. When he meets Raquel, he’s enamored by her beauty and questions her choosing a career as a prostitute. Knowing she is excess baggage on his flight from certain death, doesn’t stop him from wanting a new life with her.
As the prostitute Raquel, Elle Fanning uses her shy coquettish persona to entice Roy to take her with him. She has an impoverished past that includes being abused and you can see her trying to cope. I like Fanning in this role as she gives a lot of herself to project the frightened woman who has a motive herself to get out of town. She gets to show that she can act and draw from deep down in for this important role.
BONUS FEATURE
“The Making of Galveston” actors Ben Foster and Elle Fanning join Director Mélanie Laurent on how the film was made and some asides that are interesting.
The 4K presentation of the film is outstanding when played with the proper 4K equipment. Brilliant in every detail, the widescreen makes a presentation beyond that of most smart TV’s. The sound is crystal clear using the English language presentation with Dolby Master Audio and in some scenes you can hear things that were not noticed at the movie theater. The Blu-ray presentation played on home screens gives a very good presentation and provides all the thrills and enjoyment as well.
Galveston has been not been rated by the MPAA, but contains extreme violence, rape, sex, brutality and gore. The hard life presented in the film gets vicious and shocking sometimes so be cautious while home viewing.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A compelling story with excellent Acting, directing and cinematography. (4.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Ben Foster, Elle Fanning, Anniston Price, Tinsley Price, Beau Bridges, Adepero Aduye, Lili Reinhart, Maria Valverde, Robert Aramayo, C.K. McFarland
Directed and screenwriter: Mélanie Laurent
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains extreme violence, sex, language, rape
Running Time: 1 hr. 31 min.
Opening Date: October 19, 2018
Street Date: December 11, 2018
Language: English
Reviewed Format: 4K, Blu-ray
Audio: DTS HD-Master Audio
Video: HDR, 2160p Ultra High Def, Widescreen Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 2 Discs
Distributed by: RLJE Films
Released in: Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
