Based on a true story and using the main character’s real name in this drama, Silk Road comes to the screen with a compelling feature film. The acting, direction and production works nicely under the helm of Tiller Russell who keeps you step with this crime escapade. The film is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.
A scene of introduction opens the film introducing Ross Ulbricht (Nick Robinson) as he sits in a public library. Thinking back, he reflects on his laurels of the accomplishments by giving Americans the ability to buy and sell anything on the internet covertly. And he didn’t look at it as being dishonest believing it was a chance to take back liberty, even if what you were selling and buying illegal drugs.
Settling in at the library in front of his laptop, Ross gets a call on his cell. The film then flashes Back 3-years earlier in Baltimore and this phase of the story introduces DEA Agent Rick Bowden (Jason Clarke). He is just getting released from a psychological rehab where he has severed time to calm down his anger, drug use and drinking problem issues. Reporting to work, Rick gets a lot of jeering from his colleagues because of what lead him to rehab. Due to pressure from above, his boss reassigns him from the streets to a desk in Cybercrimes Division.
Meanwhile during this same time period in Austin, Texas, Ross is at a bar with friends talking about rights for and laws against humanity where he meets Julia (Alexandra Shipp). She has the same ideals and becomes his confidant. A nerd to the highest order, Ross formulates a plan to sell drugs on the internet at a website call Silk Road. Totally private and encrypted, people can order any drug from LSD to Cocaine. Using private money called Bitcoin, nothing is traceable.
When the duties of Rick accidently overlap with Ross’s business, things start to get dicey. So begins a cat and mouse game of wits as Rick finds himself stumbling into the biggest cybercrime of the century. Director and writer Tiller Russell does his homework and other than a bit of Hollywood thrown into the mix, shows the audacity, brilliance and then weaknesses of the infamous schemer.
Both the Blu-ray and DVD have the following EXTRAS.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Audio Commentary” by Writer/Director Tiller Russell and Editor Greg O’ Bryant
“Source Code:” The Path to Silk Road has a number of interviews of the real life characters, actors, the producer and a journalist that followed Ross Ulbricht trial and reported with true-to-life features.
Silk has been rated R by the MPAA for pervasive language, and drug content. There are also some scenes of violence. My rating is (4 out of 5 Stars)
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
