Let's just deal with two things first before we even look as what this movie has to say about writers and the writing life.
(1) This dude is an atrocious writer, as evidenced by the slow pan across his laptop screen: "He pricks her slightly so that a thin trickle of blood starts rolling down her neck and says, "I'm gonna rape and kill you right here..." Not exactly killer prose (so sorry for the pun, but I'm leaving it).
And (2) This flick takesa few minor trips into skinemax territory without getting two 'porny' (to coin a phrase).
However, all that said, the flick is a pretty watchable little mystery thriller, even if the premise isn't all that original. William Snow plays Todd Russell, a police detective who retired after being unable to solve the most important murder investigation of his career. He took his knowledge and became a true crime writer and quite a popular and successful one. Then one day, it seems like the killer from years ago has returned and is re-enacting the crimes from his unsolved case. Obviously, as the cliche demands, Russell becomes the prime suspect.
Now, this tight little mystery twists and turns more than Caribbean dancing, and even if you figure out the final twist, you won't be certain of it until the movie confirms it.
But, you're here to see what it has to say about writing and the writing life.
Early in the film, while meeting with his research assistant Ben Sykes, played by Matthew Dyktynski, Russell is asked about the coffee in his fridge (yeah, I guess he was iced coffee before it became cool):
Ben: Doesn't that stuff keep you up all night?Todd: Yeah, writing.Ben: I wish I had that sort of discipline.Todd: You want to be a writer?Ben: Yeah? I've got this idea I've been kicking around.Todd: Well, if you wanna talk about it or need any help.Ben: Thanks. I really appreciate it. Maybe I'll just wait until I get it a little more defined.Todd: Just let me know.
That scene takes maybe 40 seconds of screen time between the conversation and sorting through the papers and other bits of action between the dialog, but there's a good deal we can unpack from it.
