Dead Man’s Wire Review
Dead Man’s Wire Review
By Kevin Hoskinson
Entertainment Editor | Pastrami Nation
Even though Dead Man’s Wire takes place in 1977, it’s a story with themes that very much resonate today. Based on a true story, the film is about Tony Kiritsis, a man who entered the office of Richard Hall and took him hostage for almost three days. Richard was a mortgage broker at his father’s company, handling a land deal for Tony that went south, prompting him to commit the crime that would captivate the country. Wealth, greed, and selfishness take center stage in the narrative as the media takes control and puts their own spin on things, turning Tony into both a folk hero and villain at the same time.
It is an interesting and perfect time for a film like this to come out. It speaks to the disenchantment so many of us feel in our day-to-day as we work for companies that care little to nothing about us. While the movie doesn’t specifically address that aspect, it is a David-and-Goliath tale. Throughout the film, we are getting little breadcrumbs about why he is doing what he is doing, and the bigger picture starts to come into focus. At the heart of the film are two incredible performances, which give the rest of the cast a chance to shine. Alexander Skarsgard and Dacre Montgomery are transformative as Tony and Richard, respectively, with the latter being the standout performance for me. Dacre is best known for playing Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things, a role that he is so far removed from here. He’s a different kind of monster this time around, taking from the poor and getting richer in the process. Montgomery is an incredible performer, and this film lets him show what he is capable of, giving a powerful and subtle performance.
Beautifully directed by Gus Van Sant, Dead Man’s Wire feels like something lost in time. Taking its biggest influence from Dog Day Afternoon, the story is propelled by character moments rather than the big swings modern audiences are used to. The whole production feels like it came right out of the 70’s, from the aesthetics and wardrobe to the soundtrack and cinematography. The film uses a 3:2 aspect ratio, giving the movie a square appearance that mimics the look of photographs, films, and television sets that were so abundant during that era. Danny Elfman’s score is nuanced yet critical to all aspects of the film’s emotional beats. It’s all been done incredibly, and everyone working on the film should be recognized for doing a fantastic job.
Overall, Dead Man’s Wire is a captivating and genuinely suspenseful film. If you have never heard of the true story, I recommend going in blind and experiencing it for yourself. It’s a darkly funny film that will have you questioning your own morals and asking yourself what you would do in this situation. The nature of its slow-burning narrative might not be for everyone, but it should be seen on the big screen to take it all in. It was a good time at the movies and kept us on the edge of our seats the whole time. Definitely recommend checking it out.
Rating: 4 Pastrami Nations out of 5.
