Tricky and compelling, the film Grand Isle plays out like an episode of a television crime show, but a good one. It gets quite predictable as most Nick Cage films, but in this movie, don’t be surprised if you guess wrong. Nicholas cage is at his level best as a crime and treachery character and this one is another film noir where he’s in his main element. Watch it, decide if you were able to collect enough clues, and then see if you are a super sleuth.
It’s 1988 and Hurricane Florence is headed for Grand Isle, Louisiana, and one of the larger mansions belonging to Walter (Nicolas Cage) an ex-military officer and Fancy (KaDee Strickland) his sex starved wife, is right in the path. But, the evening before the huge storm is to hit, Walter has taken quick action against an intruder and his fence gets damaged in the process. Not wanting his property to look shoddy, even with a hurricane on his doorstep, he drives to town looking for someone to repair the fence.
In the meantime, young couple Buddy (Luke Benward) and Lisa (Emily Marie Palmer) are having troubles paying their bills and on top of that their newborn needs to see a doctor. Stretched for money he gets a lead that Walter needs some help on his homestead and he gets hired to fix the fence. While working there, the town gets the news that the storm has reached their shores. Since Lisa is in a safe place, he agrees to fix it as long as he has time to get home to the wife and baby.
But, as events begin to take shape, Buddy’s truck doesn’t start and now he’s stranded at Walter’s home. Stephen S. Campanelli who brought the action crime thriller Momentum to the screen takes the job of making Grand Isle work. He sets up a good show with some exciting and sexy scenes, before binging his main protagonist into the picture. When the three main characters end up in the house together with a storm raging outside, they begin a story of rage and deceit inside. It’s a lively production and one that has no trouble keeping the audience patient to see the next scene after scene of infighting and deception.
The trio of good acting and chemical balance are very good at character development and put together a good show. Even though you may have seen Cage’s character before in one of his 100 films, he’s still as penetrating an antagonist here. He doesn’t let down his fan base, giving them what they came for. Even newbies to his acting persona will see how he can command the screen movie after movie.
Up against Luke Benward’s protagonist character Buddy, the two constantly banter over money, conditions of the storm and Walter’s wife Fancy. Buddy trades off the upper hand throughout the film, but each time it’s Buddy that ups his game to face off against Walter’s tough military persona. Benward’s a good actor and makes the film work.
As the sometimes sleazy Fancy, KaDee Strickland (Dr. Charlotte King in 111 episodes of Private Practice), puts on a terrific show. Going from protagonist to antagonist in any given scene, you never know where she stands until the very end. She’s the catalyst and the glue that holds the film together.
Grand Isle has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains sexual innuendos, language, violence and gore. The film is available in select theaters and VOD. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for youngsters.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A smart plot and good acting provide crime thriller fans a good show. (3 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Zulay Henao, Kelsey Grammer
Directed by: Stephen S. Campanelli
Genre: Action, Thriller
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, violence, language
Running Time: 1 hr. 34 min.
Opening Date: December 6, 2019
Distributed by: Screen Media Films
Released in: Theaters, VOD
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
