Movie Review | Fissure Coming to DVD this week!

From the beginning of this film I couldn’t tell what to expect. I felt it was alluding to the possibility that this was going to be a horror film with its high sweeping camera angles and strange figures lurking around in the backgrounds. Then it seemed like the story was getting more odd and involved. What was I watching?! Well, I’ll say it was somewhat of a thriller, but don’t get me wrong it comes with a little twist.

Detective Paul Grunning (James Macdonald) has entered into a twilight zone world in which he’s literally being torn apart between the previous thoughts about his son and wife, and the current world of solving a strange murder in an even stranger house.

The concept behind Fissure reminded me of an old show I used to watch a lot called Sliders on FOX, you may remember it yourself, it starred Jerry O’Connell. Some liked it some didn’t. I’m afraid to say much more than that because I really don’t want to give away the storyline too much, but I will say I really like the “alternate world” idea and how it unfolds.

As I watched Detective Grunning get lost between what looked like a Wal-Mart decorated house, his car, and himself, it was interesting to see his level of craziness go back and forth. Although I believe James Macdonald did a great job acting this role, I think he could be better placed in a different movie. I just found it hard to believe his character  as a detective. His un-normal reaction to the murdered body didn’t seem to follow the characteristics of a cop.  What type of detective gets phone calls on his cell from the Chief for a routine household “disturbance” issue? Just doesn’t seem right, at least movie “right”.

What hurt Fissure the most was its storyline. It had the potential to be much more intense and could have kept the audience constantly thinking about how the story would climax, but it just didn’t cross that line. I think if it was faster paced in a shorter amount of screen time it would have made a more positive reaction from me. I wasn’t a big fan of the ending either (to each his own of course) I felt the issue with Grunning’s son was resolved in just a fine way that made me happy until I saw there was more.

Don’t get me wrong here; I must say one of the best qualities of this film was the great camera work. Excellent shot composition and proper movements most of the time. The camera moved with the storyline and greatly helped the total flow of the entire movie. Another exceptional quality was the use of color, from flesh tones to room shadows and textures. The color work had a huge role in telling this mystery/sci-fi story, which gradually presents itself all the way to the end.

Although about 30 minutes too long I believe Fissure is worth a watch. Even if it’s to see how the filmmakers tell the story or just to find out what a “Fissure” really is.

Follow Fissure on Twitter @FissureTV and go pay a visit to the website fissurethemovie.com where you can see the trailer. Catch an episode of Fissure even at Fissure.tv.