Screener Review: MISTAKEN (2015)

New Jersey local Ninjutsu instructor and independent filmmaker Frankin Correa is following through this year with the release of his latest film, Mistaken. The film itself isn't an action heavy one and plays out much more as an intricate crime drama than anything, though Correa himself still leaves a little room in the third act to showcase his brand of action, and for the most part, it works.

Clocked at one hour and five minutes, the film sees Correa in the role of Joey who meets up with and drops off friend LaShawn at a location where LaShawn is expected to drop off a package for an incognito deal. Five years later, Joey is a settled pizzeria owner in Boston, Massachusetts who decides to return to his home in Jersey City, New Jersey to surprise his mother for the holidays and her birthday, only his return reignites baggage and attracts unwanted attention in a town already heating up between ambitious crime syndicates in a story that will ultimately seal the fate of lives both guilty and innocent.

Correa's craft is largely an acquired taste and is specifically meant for folks with an affinity for micro-budgeted independent projects. That said, there are a number of technical flaws the film suffers from between audio, color, several blurred shots and cinematography. As for the film itself, much like his predecessor, the film is very strong on intrigue and drama. Some of the scenes are a bit taut while most of the acting is good, and several of the characters narrate the film between certain scenes as we learn the motive for each character as the plot builds, a tool that proves useful for its ornamental value when adhering to a sense of interactivity with the viewer. Actresses Crystal T. Williams and Geneva Ortiz, along with actors Correa joined by Lester Greene lend notable performances in establishing the friendships and relationships that take place as the story moves forward.

As for the action, it would have been nice to see more from top to bottom aside from a few torture scenes, although it's clear from the start that this wasn't going to be a full-blown action film. That said, the story itself doesn't establish just how Correa's character is able to handle weapons or take on thugs in CQC, but that's the curve we're given here since Correa himself is a purveyor and teacher of Ninjutsu incorporating his own style of action. Co-stars Dominick Wright and former UFC fighter Pete Sell portray the film's principle hitmen under DeVaughn, played by co-star and producer Herve Fontaine whose role proves integral in driving the story toward its violent end. Regarding the action, the exchanges are generally mild, but are peppered with a little dashes of intensity and a quick-kill approach to the choreography, and both kills are topped with really brutal finshes which make watching them all the more rewarding.

The film caps off the third act as it segways between key plot twist and a dramatic finish for a story that focuses on love, greed and ambition, tragedy, and consequences. There are definitely some portions of the film that could have been developed better for the story to provide a bit more substance and gravitas for more viewers, but thankfully some good acting from the principle cast helps carry the film a very long way.

Alas, it's another noteworthy indepenhdent effort from Correa and fellow cohort, co-star and producer Emilio Pantero, and hopefully future projects will see collaborative efforts for Correa to help build on his craft. He's an excellent storyteller and hopefully more people will follow and help polish his concepts on screen for future projects.