(2005/USA)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-GARRETT WHITE CAST-DUKE WHITE, GARRETT WHITE and BRENDAN WHITE. SOURCE-HUDSON PRODUCTIONS DVDR SCREENER.
- Crystal methamphetamine is a colorless, odorless form of d-methamphetamine, a powerful and highly addictive synthetic (man-made) stimulant. Crystal methamphetamine typically resembles small fragments of glass or shiny blue-white "rocks" of various sizes. Like powdered methamphetamine (another form of d-methamphetamine), crystal methamphetamine is abused because of the long-lasting euphoric effects it produces. Crystal methamphetamine, however, typically has a higher purity level and may produce even longer-lasting and more intense physiological effects than the powdered form of the drug.- US NATIONAL DRUG INTELLIGENCE CENTER
The world of drugs is often one that casts a doom and gloom aura. One that draws the life of those who choose to use and abuse the various different variations of them. One in particular being Crystal methamphetamine or Crystal Meth. There is very little light at the end of the tunnel for those who turn to this drug and later seek a way out. DOWNFALL, the latest project from Hudson Productions is one light that has just been shown for those users. Director Garrett White and brothers Duke and Brendan return with their second feature, one that is very different from their first, NECROPOLIS AWAKENED.
Though very different, the White’s bring their usual style and sheer professionalism and tackle a very real subject head on with brilliant results. Using real meth users, real police officers and certainly very real situations into a very dramatic tale that runs the edges of sheer terror of a very different nature. DOWNFALL follows the life of Lance Summer (Duke White) who is a recovering meth, brought back down when events at his house lead to suspicions of others. Those very people, his wife who takes their daughter away and his landlord who takes his home away. Desperate to get his daughter back and to get out of the hell hole he is backing into, Lance decides to set up a meth lab to make money and to get away. Of course, setting up a lab by a ex-meth user pretty much leads to the use of it once again and in Lance’s case, you couldn’t be further from the truth. As the meth trail begins again for Lance, so does his troubles of the past.
DOWNFALL certainly comes off like docu-drama, still it’s hard hitting message is very clear. The one element that really makes this film work is the raw and very realistic performance put in by Duke White as Lance. His actions, his voice all under the direction of Garrett, simply give off the performance of a life time in my opinion. Taking all the research done on this subject, absorbing and applying it so those who it rings true to would be just as fooled as those who haven’t even a clue what it’s like to be in that world. The same can be said for the film on a whole, by using various elements and aspects that pertain to the crystal meth world through their research and first hand encounters with those in the know. DOWNFALL is the prefect vehicle to deter those from even considering using this drug or any other. As it gets quite graphic in same areas, especially during the aftermath of a lab fire and showing the burnt to a literal victim. Folks, the White’s were certainly out to convey a message and the only effective way in doing so is to not dumb the situation down. DOWNFALL, though it’s fictional in nature, it is very real, down to the actual recovering users.
Duke, Garrett and Brendan are currently showcasing DOWNFALL to help the fight against this terrible drug that is swiping across the US and here in Canada on so many levels. They are stepping up to the plate and telling you the folks who need to know that this drug is not going to go away. Especially with how easy it is to access, through our grocery stores etc. DOWNFALL is not only a film, it’s also a teaching tool for those who need to know what it take to battle this fight. Bringing you to the battleground with showing you the tools to make meth, the effects, the causes and the signs. So far the reaction has been a very positive one from those who they have shown the film too. It's been gathering much local news as can be seen via their website. I have followed the White’s careers ever since the short film THE UNKNOWN and I must say I have found new respect for these guys for stepping up to the plate and using their skills as film makers, using it for the good of others and not just for the money. It takes a lot to devote your time and effort to produce a product of this nature and making it work. So, please support this cause and visit their website and get involved be spreading the word about DOWNFALL.
5/5 BITCH SLAPS Discuss this film in our forums.
