Emmetts Mark

"Emmett's Mark" exudes the wintry desolation of James Gray's films minus the depth of character. Helmer-scribe Keith Snyder's debut feature is as competent as any direct-to-vid feature, and it screams out to be taken seriously. Still, it's hard to tell how this somnambulant trifle will attract much interest, other than as a calling card.

"Emmett's Mark" exudes the wintry desolation of James Gray's films minus the depth of character. Helmer-scribe Keith Snyder's debut feature is as competent as any direct-to-vid feature, and it screams out to be taken seriously. Still, it's hard to tell how this somnambulant trifle will attract much interest, other than as a calling card.

Neo-noir thriller long on style but short on originality, “Emmett’s Mark” exudes the wintry desolation of James Gray’s films minus the depth of character. Helmer-scribe Keith Snyder’s debut feature is as competent as any direct-to-vid feature, and it screams out to be taken seriously. Still, it’s hard to tell how this somnambulant trifle will attract much interest, other than as a calling card.

Pic tells of a Philadelphia detective (Scott Wolf) who’s been diagnosed with one of those fatal movie diseases and been given a few pain-saturated weeks to live. An encounter with a stranger (Gabriel Byrne) in a bar leads to an offer: The stranger knows a guy who’d be willing to put the detective out of his misery, for a price. Predictable complications ensue. That the hired hitman happens to be played by the inimitable Tim Roth is pic’s only real pleasure. Underplaying, with a lot more personality than this generic affair deserves, Roth seems bemused at what’s going on around him and gives pic a shot in the arm whenever he’s onscreen.

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Emmett’s Mark

  • Production: A Taylor/Fuller production in association with Genuine Article Pictures. Produced by Graham Taylor, Brad Fuller, Franny Baldwin Benullo.. Executive producer, Keith Snyder. Directed, written by Keith Snyder.
  • Crew: Camera (CFI color, widescreen), Lawrence Sher; editor, Caroline Ross; music, Steve Porcaro; production designer, Roshelle Berliner; art director, Christopher Freeman; costume designer, Ellen Falguiere; sound (Dolby), Antonio Arroyo. Reviewed at Tribeca Film Festival -- Special Screenings, May 10, 2002. Running time: 104 MIN.
  • With: With: Scott Wolf, Tim Roth, Khandi Alexander, Gabriel Byrne, Talia Balsam, John Dorman, Sarah Clarke.

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