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Stars: Neal McDonough, Tommy Flanagan, Christiane Seidel
Director: Derek Presley
Distributor: 101 Films

“I encourage you to tell me everything you know.”

Strolling into town, Neal McDonough stars as the titular character, Boon, but he doesn’t arrive alone; he comes equipped with mystery and style, both in equal measure of indulgence.

Initially boasting a demeanor and presence that can only be seen as a hybrid of The Undertaker and prime Clint Eastwood, Boon soon finds himself in a deadly shootout which leaves him bloodied and injured. However, local resident and witness, Catherine (Christiane Seidel) offers Boon sanctuary in his recovery. Catherine, a woman of strong character and widower with the responsibility of looking after her son, is subject to the wim of the local criminal outfit. 

Leading the outfit is Mr. Fitzgerald (Tommy Flanagan). Led by Fitzgerald’s sleazy charm, the scum of his unit begin to cross a line, with Catherine and her son falling victim. This unleashes Boon from the shackles of the shadows. In his defense of Catherine and her boy, Boon’s face and presence begins to draw attention from all angles, even his past. Paired with a common enemy, Boon and Catherine’s pursuits of survival are paralleled and unified – can they survive?

Presented in wonderful, wintery locations, Boon – dominated by the presence of McDonough – is a well-kept crime-thriller with lethal doses of action. The action is toned well, meaningful, not overblown, and even feels gritty in some instances. The snowy backdrop provides an excellent landscape for an ice cold kill. 

Ultimately, Boon is an example of keeping minimal to a good effect. With the inclusion of religious undertones, the results are mixed, but generally lean towards success – mostly aided by Seidel’s excellent, warm performance as Catherine. Flanagan’s Fitzgerald can often come off as cartoonish, but McDonough’s performance as the urban legend-like figure, acts as a strong baseline for the overall film. Boasting the small town, taking in a stranger, right place, right time, tropes we all love and know, Boon is a worthwhile 95-minute exploration.

Many thanks to Aim Publicity and 101 Films for the pleasure of this film.

3 Stars

Dom.

For John.

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This article’s featured image: By Source, 101 Films, Fair Use