A friend of mine who also watched the film likened it to Frank Oz\u2019s 1986 film Little Shop of Horrors<\/em> without singing, a comparison with which I tentatively agree.\u00a0 Both films tell the tale of a man working for an unforgiving business (Seymour is a flower shop assistant, while Mitch is a writer) who happen upon an opportunity which could grant them success beyond their wildest dreams but only at the cost of their humanity.\u00a0 The primary difference is that we get to see Seymour\u2019s development from a shy spectator in his own life to an active participant willing to go out and attain what he yearns for, making mistakes along the way which makes his character feel more organic.\u00a0 If we get to see Seymour transition from bashful to bold \u2013 with a realization of the consequences of his actions at the film\u2019s climax \u2013 we join Mitch at the \u201cbold\u201d point in his arc and see him regress to desperation.<\/p>\n As such, this film doesn\u2019t concern itself with much in the way of character development \u2013 not in the way you\u2019d expect.\u00a0 In its place are a series of reveals which either move the plot along or unnerve the audience (occasionally both).\u00a0 A Brilliant Monster<\/em> puts you into a dark room and flips light switches on one-by-one.\u00a0 By the time you realize what\u2019s in front of you, the story\u2019s moved on, and you\u2019re in a different room.<\/p>\n What\u2019s revealed early-on to the viewer, beyond (and because of) what\u2019s conveyed through the primary plot line, is that there\u2019s a lack of a true B story balancing out the suspense and unease of the main story line.\u00a0 This places the onus on the acting to shoulder the load of the film, where the leads don\u2019t disappoint.\u00a0 Dennis Friebe\u2019s portrayal of Mitch as a man attempting to protect the division between his private and personal lives is admirable, as is Nick Leali\u2019s performance as Mitch\u2019s closest friend and undying source of support. \u00a0Joy Kigin\u2019s Abby, a detective hellbent on prosecuting Mitch, capably serves as a second protagonist, and through her and Mitch\u2019s perspectives. A Brilliant Monster<\/em> presents a game of cat-and-mouse that supporters of Rabbath\u2019s previous work will fawn over.\u00a0 In particular, there are a few sequences which are simply masterful in their manipulation of the passage of time and cross-cutting.<\/p>\n The film is not perfect.\u00a0 Some of the cinematography and sound design are slightly discombobulated. Certain parts of the film are unnecessarily unfocused, both in visual clarity and in narrative.\u00a0 There are threads which do not tie up, credentials which are spoken when they could easily have been shown, and instances of rather heavy-handed dialogue.\u00a0 However, fans of Rabbath\u2019s work, are sure to enjoy the film.<\/p>\n Even though he may have some work to do, Rabbath has clearly found himself a niche. \u00a0He rarely strays from fabricating tales of human plight and the darkness found within us, but he makes them with such aplomb.\u00a0 Anyone with an interest in tales of morality and retribution will find A Brilliant Monster a promising debut feature.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tallahasseefamilymagazine.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BrilliantMonster_02.jpg\")
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