.45 [DVD]

I like the staring actress Mila Jovovich at lot. I get a kick out of the zombie flicks and "The Fifth Element" is one of my all-time favorite movies. This movie, ".45" shows what she can do with an entirely different acting assessment. She plays the girlfriend of a low-level gangster in Queens. She is a druggie (not an addict, but a user of coke and weed, and booze, lots of that too) and a criminal herself, so it is a good match. Except Big Al, her boyfriend is not just a criminal. He is a dangerous psychopath. To save her own life, the girl must find a way to get rid of Big Al before he goes too far and ends her life. This is intense drama with life and death hanging in the balance. Jovovich is very good, believable, as are her fellow actors. Writer/director Gary Lennon is best known as a very successful TV producer. I thought he did quite well here and I am mystified that he has not gone on to direct other successful movies. Maybe he just likes to produce. Crime fans, Jovovich fans, and fans of hard, gritty films will all enjoy this on.e

I'll be honest, I figured I'd watch a few minutes and fast forward through the rest just for a few minutes of Milla screen time. Instead I found an interesting plot, characters that engaged me even if they had their own shortcomings, and much better acting than I have seen from the films I have seen her in so far. In fact, this is the first film I have seen her in where I felt like she brought more to the table than her looks. Glad to see it too. I have always felt that she has the potential to be more than just a model tossed on the screen for her looks but so far, if she has ever shown it, I have missed it. Was this the best film I have ever seen? Nope. But it's a good one. Very good in my opinion. Her performance leaves me hoping to see more from her. I can always find fault with any film. But I'd be nitpicking to fault this one.

If you grew up in the NY tri state area in the 70's or 80's, you probably know these characters as well as I do. Those who stay alive live and learn. You learn who your friends are, and who to stay away from. Great cast, good acting, and a very realistic portrayal of people you may, or may not, know. Know them or not; know that they are out there, and that they are real.

The raw emotion and grit present throughout this film added an entirely new dimension to the story that really helped draw me into the harsh reality that these characters live in.I was truly impressed with Milla's performance as "Kate" and I was pleasantly surprised to see her outside of a movie laden with kung-fu, guns and monsters and instead see her in a wonderfully directed and extremely well written film. While I've only seen Angus Macfadyen on screen a handful of times, he completely blew me away as "Big Al". He plays one of the most powerful, controlling and abusive characters I've ever seen on screen, yet he's still very much human.There's something about Gary Lennon's writing that really helps you understand these characters and the reality they live in, no matter how dysfunctional and messed up they may be. Overall, .45 is an amazing debut for writer/director Gary Lennon, full of brilliant acting and an enthralling story. Highly recommended!

I picked this up based on the good reviews and hey, Milla Jovovich is in it. But alas it's just not good...The plot is basic, Milla's character Kat is dating 'Big Al' an abusive, violent criminal in Queens, New York. After she's had enough of his abuse she frames him for a crime and takes over his criminal enterprises.It's the sort of movie with good acting and interesting ideas but it seems they used the first draft of the script and didn't bother to give it any thought. At one point Big Al calls the cops to his apartment to arrest a would-be burglar. The cops see his apartment filled with stolen goods and illegal weapons but can't do anything because they don't have a warrant. Which is nonsense. That's not how the law works. It is so stupid I expected a follow up where Al is arrested. But it's just forgotten.Kat's clever plan to frame him is similarly half-baked. She has someone wear his jacket and hoodie to commit a murder. It seems obvious the evidence against Big Al is circumstantial and won't hold up. Why not just rat him out for the crimes he actually committed? Then Kat goes to visit Al in prison and tells him her whole plan. Surely the next scene should be either Al walking free or Al sending his friends after Kat for revenge? But no, it's just glossed over. No one seems to have thought too much about the plot, I think I just gave it more thought than the writer or director. And no amount of good acting can save a film when the story makes no sense.It's also the sort of film that supposed to be set in New York but was obviously shot somewhere else.Skip it.

Good movie. Love milla.

Very good movie. Decent acting on all parts. I think it was a little chopped up with all the commentary breaking the flow of the movie. They should have spent more time on the story line like Big Al's associations and how Kat got where she was. That is why I gave it 4 stars..45 is pretty true to life what goes on between a battered woman and abusive man. Very well played. The friends all want to do something but like in life, most talk big but can put the rubber to the road. And like most people in this world, nothing gets done unless there is something in it for them. So bottom line is, this is a well acted movie about what real life can be for the unfortunate in these situations. The movie is gritty and coarse but then isn't life sometimes. Well worth watching.

Be advised that this film is told in flashback narrative, so the ending is obvious. Nonetheless, full-on performances by the two leads, and a couple of cracking turns by the main supporting cast, lift this low budget crime caper above many that are considered superior. Fans of Jovovitch will not be disappointed, and those who remember Angus as The Bruce in 'Braveheart' will get to see another side of this versatile British actor, who is well-used in the USA, though rarely seen in his homeland. At under four quid, you can't go wrong.

I agree with Amy Lee's review, Milla Jovovich is always watchable; on my part not her best film, but a fantastic body and as they say in Yorkshire she cleans up well. Some times less dialogue is better, some scenes are better worked than others, only at the end does she have that trade mark look! If anything the last end track on the closing credits is the star... I've listened to it many times!

i bought it because i like milla. i found it disappointing. the language is terrible. i won't buy another dvd on the strength of her name.

Although I am a fan of Milla Jovovich, I was greatly disappointed by this film, and the title of this preview says it all, really.If you are thinking about buying this film, you have been warned!

I mainly bought this as I am a big Milla Jovovich fan, however the film is quite slow and boring and mainly filled in with unnecessary violence,