I’ve watched quite a number of good movies involving the injustices of America’s penal system, and Felon definitely stands among the elite in this genre of film. The script was extremely well rounded and supported by strong cast, good dialogue, and some well paced character development. After watching the film, I felt it was very unfortunate that Felon went under the radar and straight to DVD because it definitely had the potential to do well at the box office.

Stephen Dorff who is probably best known for his role as Deacon Frost in Blade plays Dave Porter, a hard working family man who is accused of a crime after protecting his family. His emotional rollercoaster ride is well played out and quite believable and it was easy to connect with him.

However, it was the supporting cast that was so vital in this film’s success and none more important than actor Val Kilmer. His role as mass murderer John Smith was a tough assignment and he took it in stride. After so many disappointing film’s with Kilmer starring as the lead actor, his shift to a supporting role seemed to make all the difference and as a result he shined.

Finally I must give props to supporting actor Harold Perrineau from the Emmy award winning series “Lost”. I’m not well versed in the series but I can tell you that his role as Lieutenant Jackson was outstanding. His ability to make you cringe and want to choke him was so well done that I have to applaud him for making me hate him so much.

Would I recommend this movie? Most definitely. If you can handle some prison violence and vulgar language, I’m sure most of you will find it was well worth your time. It was truly one of those diamonds in the rough. Go see it.

Synopsis:

A loving husband and father finds his promising future transformed into a waking nightmare when he’s convicted of involuntary manslaughter after accidentally killing the burglar who broke into his home in this gritty prison drama starring Stephen Dorff and Val Kilmer. Wade Porter (Dorff) would have done anything to protect his family, and when they were threatened he did what any caring family man would have done. But somehow everything went wrong, and now Wade has been sentenced to spend three years in a maximum-security prison. It’s a place where the rules of society have been all but forgotten, and in addition to sharing a cell with a notorious mass murderer (Kilmer), Wade somehow incurs the wrath of the sadistic head prison guard (Harold Perrineau). Now, in order to survive the series of vicious beatings orchestrated for the amusement of the guards, Wade realizes that in order to survive the block and get back to his family he will have to become the toughest felon of them all. But even if Wade does manage to live through this harrowing ordeal, what will be left of that loving family man once he’s finally released back into civilized society? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide