Film Review – Finestkind

As a writer/director, Brian Helgeland doesn’t possess the most inspired filmography, last seen on screen in 2015’s mediocre “Legend.” The “A Knight’s Tale” and “42” helmer hasn’t delivered big with his endeavors, but he goes smaller with “Finestkind,” a low-key crime story about fathers, sons, gangsters, and the delicate nature of future plans. It’s a chewy, blue-collar understanding of characters making critical mistakes, lacking the life tools to deal with such troubles, and Helgeland stays close to these personalities for the majority of the run time, getting to understand personal issues. “Finestkind” eventually evolves into something more formulaic to help locate an ending, but the material, while familiar, makes for a compelling sit, watching people wrestle with the past and communicate their needs, which hits on a few human moments before the writing tries to dazzle with underworld intimidations. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com