Brawl in Cell Block 99

Movie Name: Brawl in Cell Block 99
Year of Release: 2017

Director: S. Craig Zahler

Stars: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Marc Blucas, Don Johnson, Udo Kier, Willie C. Carpenter, Victor Almanzar, Tom Guiry, Clark Johnson, Fred Melamed, Dion Mucciacito, Adam Mucci, Rob Morgan
Genre: Crime, Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5
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Synopsis:

Director S. Craig Zahler made a name for himself with his first feature, "Bone Tomahawk". His second directorial effort follows the same approach that his first feature had: a definitely B movie approach in character definition, building momentum and environment, until violence erupts in a most brutal way. "Brawl in Cell Block 99" follows the story of Bradley Thomas, an imposing man with a past, who suddenly sees himself laid off from his current job. He discovers his wife has been having an affair, but after a tense argument, they decide to patch things up, upon which Bradley also decides to go back to being a drug runner for a crime boss by the name of Gil. Bradley and his wife Lauren, soon find themselves with more money, living in a nicer neighborhood, and expecting a baby. Things take a turn for the worse, when Bradley and some new associates go seize new drugs, and are discovered by the police. Bradley decides to do the right thing, at the cost of his associates, which puts him in a tough spot when he goes to prison.
S. Craig Zahler is slowly carving out a reputation for himself with his first two features, which have received some critical praise and the attention of some well respected directors. His aesthetic and point of view, is one that definitely recalls a mix of Don Siegel, Michael Winner, both of whom were directors who became associated with gritty and urban crime stories (with somewhat low budgets). This B movie aesthetic, typically means the stories are a lot more straightforward in their approach to character definition, in the pursuit of the violent satisfaction that lies behind the hero's journey, typically one of vengeance (and the audience by extent). "Brawl in Cell Block 99" goes in a similar direction, allowing for the situation in which Bradley finds himself in, to be slowly built out, particularly as the pieces keep getting more dramatic as the escalation gets worse. It's a film that doesn't bring anything new, but it has a "grindhouse" tone to it, which makes it watchable. It also provides Vince Vaughn an opportunity to create a character that is different from his typical role. An interesting, even if forgettable film from a director with potential.