J. Michael Couto's ANGEL'S CREST is one dark, gripping, evocative and ultimately disturbing film.
We meet Teddy, a middle-aged, overweight human resources employee as he purchases donuts from Yummy Donuts. He has a tie on, and is obviously on his way to work. He picks up his carpool partner and friend of five years, Richard, who is waiting at the bus station. Seems that Teddy was supposed to be on a vacation day, and Richard's car has broken down, so he was going to catch the bus. But fate (are we sure?) steps in and Teddy decides to go into work and take his buddy along. They hear on the radio that the interstate is all clogged up so Richard recommends they take Angeles Crest Road, a detour into the city. Teddy obliges and then decides to stop off at a scenic overview, telling Richard they have plenty of time; he wants to show him the view and the woods. Next thing you know, Teddy whacks Richard in the head with a shovel he's obviously planted there, and Richard is tied to a tree, with Teddy telling him he has thirty six minutes to live. What in the world is going on, Richard wonders? Why is Teddy doing this?
ANGEL'S CREST offers no easy explanation, but once the viewer finds out Teddy's motivation, a dark and enigmatic ending is in the offing.
ANGELS CREST is ultimately a story of fate, friendship, and revenge. Couto uses a vibrant style of camerawork and an effective use of flashbacks to piece the story together. Chris Bauer as the seemingly demented Teddy is very good----he has that everyman look of middle class white male, and his belief in fate, and why he has been used as its instrument, gives us a portrait of a desperate man, who isn't sure of what his role is in this melodrama.
However, it is Currie Graham's devastatingly brilliant portrayal of Richard that brings this independent film to its ultimate high. Graham, also an average looking, almost handsome man is appalled at what his friend is doing to him. Graham controls his performance masterfully, but the viewer can sense an inner volcanic eruption only minutes away. While fighting Teddy with words and pleas, the viewer isn't sure what Richard's role is, but even when the truth is revealed, Graham's performance works its way into your mind like a vise.
ANGELS CREST is a two character movie, and in the wrong hands, could have been overwhelmingly pedestrian. Currie Graham however gives such a powerful portrait of man torn by grief, guilt; a loser with nowhere to go; that he elevates this film into a realm of independent mastery.
