#TIFF19: “BLOW THE MAN DOWN”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Sisters Mary Beth (Morgan Saylor) and Priscilla (Sophie Lowe) think they got away with a violent crime in their small fishing village of Easter Cove, Maine until a local brothel owner (Margo Martindale) becomes suspicious and confronts the girls with an ultimatum.

Small town crime films usually lack originality, however, Co-Directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy bring a new edge to the genre. This atmospheric film advances above those that came before due to the complicated and often troubled female characters. Those characters are made even more complex thanks to a talented cast consisting of Saylor, Lowe, Martindale, and June Squibb. An honourable mention goes to scene-stealer Will Brittain playing the good-boy cop.

Blow The Man Down screens at TIFF on Thu, Sep 12 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 8:30 PM, Sat, Sep 14 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 4 PM, and Sun, Sep 15 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 9:15 AM.