My quick rating - 5.3/10. When I saw Harvey Keitel's name attached to this flick, I was immediately sold. Unfortunately, his role in the film is disappointingly limited, leaving much to be desired from a movie that could have used more of his gravitas. The plot follows an innocent woman who is thrust into a desperate situation when her young daughter is kidnapped by a dangerous kingpin. Forced to raise a ransom, she teams up with a corrupt Interpol agent, played by Olga Kurylenko, whose son is also being held hostage. Together, they set out to rip off various criminals, with only an hour to save their children from the kingpin's wrath. While the premise suggests a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller, it falls short in execution. The narrative is monotonous, and despite a few moments of tension, the film never truly takes off. There isn’t much action to keep the momentum going, and the pacing drags, making the one-hour window feel more like a sluggish marathon than a race against time. Kurylenko does her best to carry the film, and she manages to make it more bearable with a solid performance. However, even her efforts can’t fully elevate the mediocre script. The chemistry between the characters feels forced, and the stakes never quite feel as dire as they should. In the end, I found it to be a mediocre thriller that doesn’t live up to its potential. If you’re also a fan of Harvey Keitel, you might find his presence a brief but welcome sight but don’t expect him to save this film. It’s a watchable but ultimately forgettable experience that struggles to maintain the tension and excitement it promises.
Paradox Effect (2023)
Updated: Oct 19
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