Trouble Is My Business [2018]
Film Review
by JannyC
Corrupt cops rule the world of 1947 Los Angeles, under the tailored facade and shiny demeanor, it is a place of intense mood and deep shadows, a place where people’s true character may be as well-hidden their secrets. Moral lines are anything but black and white. Add to this betrayal, passion, ambition, money and sex, and detective Roland Drake has his work cut out. But then, trouble is his business. [Thomas Konkle]
From the opening music, you are transported back to the 1940s… Los Angeles to be exact, you see? Yeah, that’s the ticket. Sorry for my bad film noir pun attempt.
Directed by Tom Konkle, along with a screenplay co-written by Konkle and Brittney Powell, Trouble is My Business is a beautiful nod to the classic film noir crime-drama-thriller-mysteries of the 1940s-1950s, topped-up with a dark, sexy story that holds up in modern times. There is a color as well as a black and white version of the film, but for the full film noir effect, I recommend the black and white version.
Konkle captures the exact campy dialogue, plot, lighting effect, and camera angles that film noir is famously known for thanks to the incorporation of green screen technique and visual effects brought forth by Konkle and VFX producer and supervisor, Michael J. Smith, and the folks at Lumen Actus. Add to that a seductive story about a hero’s quest for redemption, deadly dames, and the motto that crime that never pays and the result is absolutely breathtaking.
Cinematographers (Jesse Arnold and P.J. Gaynard) deserve to be commended for their efforts. Frame by frame, shot by shot, they have perfectly captured old Hollywood cinema and brought it back to life for a new generation to fall in love with, all the while keeping the classic cinema style alive, yet also adding a modern computer tech element to do it.
To be honest, though, I was not completely gung-ho in love with this film at first. A noir style film in 2021?!? I was skeptical at first, but as Private Investigator Roland Drake (Tom Konkle) might say, ‘I am a sucker for a crime drama mystery.’ Okay, maybe not. Anyway… Konkle delivers a great film that completely draws you in. It’s a lot of fun to watch.
Each actor is brilliant and perfect in their role. They all nail their parts of 1940s-era characters almost flawlessly. If Detective Tate (Vernon Wells) looks familiar, aside from looking like an evil megalomaniac version of J. Jonah Jameson in this film, you also might recognize him from Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Commando, among others illustrious titles.
David Beeler (Lew MacDonald) seems to relish in his role and shines as Drake‘s auspicious former partner. Beeler plays off of Konkle’s cynical, down on his luck Drake in perfect film noir quality. Brittney Powell (Catherine / Jennifer Montemar) completes it all with her stunning dual-role, in a twisted and dangerous femme fatale performance.
A thoroughly enjoyable, well made film. Highly recommended.
My Score: 8 out of 10.
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