William Garnett is released from prison after serving 18 years for killing a Deputy Sheriff. During his incarceration, Garnett has found religion and emerges from prison with the intention to start a new, law abiding life by getting a job, finding a wife and buying a home. His case is assigned to seasoned parole officer Emily Smith who is new in town.
Killing a Deputy Sheriff is going to earn you some powerful enemies and, unfortunately for Garnett, the same Sheriff is still in office upon his release and is hell-bent on making his life as difficult as possible. To make things even more difficult, Garnett’s old partner in crime wants him back on the payroll and won’t take no for an answer.
In the face of these impossible challenges Garnett and his parole officer become unlikely friends as they quickly realise that the odds are stacked against him as he tries in vain to do the right thing.
Two Men in Town raises some interesting questions about rehabilitation of criminals, their integration back into society, and whether it is actually possible for a convicted murderer to turn over a new leaf and get a second chance.
Some beautiful cinematography by Yves Cape, which captures the harsh and desolate landscape of New Mexico, creates a brilliant backdrop for this film, highlighting and intensifying Garnett’s feelings of isolation but also his love for his newfound outdoor freedom.
Forest Whittaker gives an understated and controlled performance as Garnett, beautifully capturing the Jeckyll and Hyde aspect of a man who is trying to make good while something more sinister lurks threateningly just beneath his surface.
Harvey Keitel is suitably angry and revengeful as the local Sheriff with an axe to grind, while Brenda Blethyn creates an interesting and believable sympathiser as Garnett’s parole officer.
Despite these three very strong performances Two Men in Town drags along a little too slowly in places toward a somewhat predictable and anti-climactic ending. However, it is still worth a look for the acting and cinematography alone.
Reviewed by Ceri Horner
Twitter: @CeriHorner
Rating out of 10: 6.5
Two Men in Town is out now on Blu-ray, DVD and Video on Demand.
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