Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"The Come Up" is a 10-minute short film from 3 years ago and it features Troian Bellisario ("Pretty Little Liars") and Patrick J. Adams ("Suits") as the main characters. I think both did a fine job here in this 10.5-minute movie. Unfortunately, the script is never on par with their performances and the direction could have been better as well. So yes, I am disappointed with Kirk Sullivan's efforts in both these areas I must say. It makes sense that he usually works in the sound department as his journey into writing and directing this little movies was not a successful one. Especially a pity as he has 2 pretty good lead actors here, with whom this could easily have been a much better movie. Not recommended.
bob the moo
Steve is a lowly PA on a movie studio when one of the production crew is robbed of the bag of cash she is carrying; with the threat of losing his job, Steve takes off in hot pursuit.This short film is a nice idea supposedly thought up while working on a movie set and ultimately it is a nice idea and a nice film, just not as strong as I would have liked. A heist gives ways to a chase across active sets, some fight sequences and, in typical heist movie tradition, some twists in the tail. It is slick but the material is not as funny or as smart as it should have been and while it is amusing, it never really hits that killer spot to be really memorable. Some film jokes along the way are OK but again not hilarious, while the twist is solid but by then I was watching it from the outside and wasn't really into the story too much.The closing credits are quite cool in a film caper type way and generally Sullivan does a good job with the film even if, as I say, it just felt like it was falling just short of the mark in too many ways. Adams (now known for Suits) is likable in the lead, but not quite everyman enough. Paré is a good presence but not monstrous enough for his jerky character. Bellisario is good looking but a little wooden in her dialogue, although Sung Kang made me chuckle with his brief cameo.The Come Up is a nice idea which made for a nice film but not a great one. The action, the material, the performances and the twist all feel decent enough but also like they are just falling short of the mark and maybe there was a need for just some more good ideas and polish to take it to that next level. Fun for what it is, but it does seem short of its potential.
