SAFE HOUSE 1618

Directed by Calvin T. Shepherd

Sometimes a film can have the best of intentions, but fail to fully realize them. It disappoints me to say this is the case for Safe House 1618, the third feature-film outing for director Calvin T. Shepherd. Despite an incredible opening act and a show-stopping performance from Jasmine Day, there is little more that this film offers to justify its existence in a feature-length capacity at this time. The film is more often than not tonally awkward, and really struggles to find its footing during the second act.

I really wanted to love this film. I was beyond hooked when it began, and absolutely shook by the near-perfect cinematography and opening events that set up this story. I was ready for a wild ride, and then the car stalled hard around the 16-minute mark. In a bizarre turn of events, one of the leading ladies takes a very odd tumble, leading her character to suffer from a head injury for the remainder of the film that genuinely felt like a cop out to excuse her absence for a large chunk of act two. Seriously, I almost forgot she was there.

Next, we have a side-character (the driver) who really needed to be sent packing when his character's job was done. When he wasn't, I thought, "Okay, there's a reason for this. Something will come of this." That something never came. This character's entire arc began and ended on a couch, and only does a disservice to the remainder of the film. I would have loved to part ways with him, and spend more time with Joelene or Lee (another brilliant performance by Matison Card; I just wish there was more of her).

Again, all the major issues I'm outlining stem from pacing of the film's mid-section, which really could have benefitted from some tightening. The film fell right around the hour 44 mark, and I truly think it would have been INCREDIBLE had it been closer to 90 minutes. There are many great sequences sprinkled throughout this film (most with Jasmine Day at the center of them) and others that run minutes too long or could have been excised altogether without the audience missing a beat.

Despite its shortcomings, Safe House 1618 is absolutely worth a watch. I cannot stress enough - the first 15 minutes of this film will grip you so tight and is near-perfect cinema. The final act also really picks up, and closes the film out on a great high-note. Make no mistake, this is a good film. But after watching it twice, I assure you, there is a great one in here somewhere if the editing & directing team can give this one more pass.

At the end of the day, Calvin T. Shepherd & Jasmine Day truly have a new fan for life. I really hope these two work together again, and cannot wait for their next project together.

Rating: 7/10

-DJ Ford