Backflash (2002)

To me, this movie is perfection.

That was an excellent one.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Although "Backflash" does remind me a little of a superior film, "Red Rock West", with fine desert locations and plenty of guitar strums, the constant flash backs or should I say "backflashes" are both confusing and annoying. This is the type of twisty story that begs for a re-watch simply to determine if the outcome makes any sense, or is indeed playing games with the audience. The presence of actors Mike Starr and Michael J. Pollard is a nice touch, but the leads, Jennifer Esposito and Robert Patrick are difficult to embrace because of their generic characters. Special mention must be made of the soundtrack, which seems to have a strong Native American influence, and is quite good. - MERK

In this film, Melissa Joan Hart leaves Sabrina behind and gives a hilariously sarcastic and sexy performance as a wise-ass, hard-drinking, prostitute-turned-back room mortician. Unfortunately, Melissa's screen time is limited and the viewer is left with a film that mostly comes across as an edited-for-television version of itself. Think Wild Things with all the sex removed and Bill Murray's screen time cut dramatically. My recommendation is to use scene select to watch Melissa prove she can really deliver as an actress, then go watch Body Heat.

Take a simple-minded story and leave out parts so as to mystify the audience and then plug them in later so we can relish in the revelation. Rent a handful of 2nd tier talent. Drag the shots out because you can't afford to be busy...busy costs money. Pump up the atmospherics because they're cheap. Avoid expensive action like blazing fire fights and blow up a cardboard cabin instead. And, voila! You have "Backflash", a cheap B-movie set in the BFAZ desert which tells of a video store owner, a babe, and a bunch of mob heavies all trying to get their mits on some ill-gotten dinero. This no brainer explains everything with flashbacks so it would make an ideal soporific for the weary couch potato. (D+)

Warning; The plot of this movie is so thin, some of this might be considered spoilers. Backflash is not a brilliant film. Yes, Jennifer Esposito is attractive and surely destined for great things, and Melissa Joan Hart makes the most of her small role, but in general the film falls flat. The majority of the roles are lifeless with little chance to build character beyond stereotypes. Robert Patrick's sudden shift in demeanour half way through is jarring, and never explained even with the final revelations. The twisty plot just does not gel, mainly because it's full of holes. Why did they need a patsy? Why was RP SO mild mannered before the crack on the head? Why didn't that annoying song wake him up, but the alarm clock did? In general, this was the kind of film you normally find spiced up with sex and violence to cover the holes. A pity they didn't consider that here.