Written and directed by Noah Millman, a man walks into a bar to talk about a film. Another man waits to get him to confess. A woman watches to see that he doesn’t. Over the course of a long, booze-filled night, everyone is going to say what someone doesn’t want to hear. Starring: Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Patch Darragh, Jen Ponton, Mitzi Akaha, Sedly Bloomfield and Erik Gullberg.
The genre blend which Noah Millman has put together with Resentment is quite a rare one, it has that dramatic foundation but then it brings through a strong erotic vein with a touch of psychological warfare that’s bordering on thriller but never quite gets dark enough. It’s an unusual, original combination, and one that will either work for you or it won’t because it does not shy away, it’s confident in its sensual side and narcissism. It’s a genuinely potent combination, and while it does work, it can fall prey to being more about sex and less about the interesting layers it has to offer.
Part of that issue is that Millman chooses not to fully reveal this story until it’s almost over. While initially the conversation of consent, especially in the world of teenagers does have something to offer, in the latter moments it’s the concept of polygamy and open marriages which takes over, but Resentment’s credits roll before that conversation ever really gets going. A shame as it could have potentially been an interesting confrontation. Another part of the issue is that the tone takes on a lot of the personality of one of its leading trio, David (Patch Darragh) who is filled with jealousy, desperation, inadequacy and conceit. It’s another imposing combination, and not really for the better.
It’s a shame as there’s some great dialogue which has a good speed and patter to it. Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Patch Darragh and Jen Ponton all deliver it very well. They clearly understood the tone immediately, they’re pushing buttons, looking to challenge and illicit reactions. In that sense they can make things intentionally very uncomfortable, which works in some moments better than others. Although the sex scenes have a haphazard feel to them, they’re not gracefully shot and lack subtlety which can add a clumsiness.
Resentment can ultimately come across more like low-key erotica than a charged piece of drama. There’s a great core trio at work in Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Patch Darragh and Jen Ponton, they have strong chemistry and their line delivery is excellent. However, the atmosphere gets more caught up in the negative qualities to the characters, and while the cinematography from Valentina Caniglia is solid work, there’s a lovely richness and intimacy to the colours, Noah Millman’s direction lacks the suaveness, and seductive quality that this film so desperately calls out for. It’s an interesting concept but the execution doesn’t quite do it justice.
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