TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2015 // A FILM REVIEW OF "HYENA"
It's fascinating to think about the real life and mental process of a corrupt cop. Sworn to protect and serve, yet drawn to the power and money that accompany the darker side, at what point is a cop's justification of doing a little wrong for the ultimate greater good crossing the line? It seems Det. Alonzo Harris (Training Day) crossed the line while Det. Rust Cohle (True Detective) did not, but it's not always black and white.
The squad that opens HYENA, a new feature from Director Gerard Johnson, has quite clearly crossed the line. Well, the squad does, but does their leader? Led by Det. Michael Logan (Peter Ferdinando), this rough and tumble bunch enjoys the spoils of their crime busts, but after a new gang comes into town and an internal investigation begins, Logan is forced to fight his way out of the corner. Johnson takes us on an interesting route through some seedy parts of London, adding to the grime with the incessant debauchery. Pints of beer, shots of whiskey, pills of many colors, loud parties, playing pool and stumbling home. Oh, and lines of blow. Lines and lines of blow. Blow is a main character. In the end credits, just under "Det. Michael Logan...played by...Peter Ferdinando" is listed "Blow...played by...Herself." Well, it doesn't say that, but it could and wouldn't be lying. There is lots of snorting in Hyena and we get the hint that Detective Logan has a drug problem on top of his corruption problem. Under Blow in the end credits is Blood. This movie has quite a bit of it. Murder by stabbing, dismemberment by saw, spraying blood, scrubbing blood, and more.
Stephen Graham's familiar face (Snatch) plays the internal investigator and adds to the high stakes Logan is facing. The side story around Ariana (Elisa Lasowski) is disgusting then touching, and Lasowski does a great job with that tough role. There's a good, creepy, tension-filled soundtrack by The The from Britain that helps keep our interest piqued.
Coke and blood and bullets, some tenuous relationships that require some figuring out, and a few solid performances, but is that enough to send you chasing Hyena?
VERDICT: ON THE FENCE
Written and Directed by Gerard Johnson Starring Peter Ferdinando, Neil Maskell, Richard Dormer, Elisa Lasowki, MyAnna Buring, and Stephen Graham
Playing as part of The 2015 Tribeca International Film Festival. For tickets & schedules: http://www.tribecafilm.com
W. DEREK JORDEN is an actor currently living and working in New York City. He and his wife live on a Spaceship on the top of a building, which makes for some interesting dinner parties.