Cheap(2005)
Directed By – Brad Jones
Staring – David Gobble
1 Hr 58 Min
I’m going to say something up front. I’m a fan of Brad Jones and his review show, but I’m going to try my best to not give this film a bias because of that.
Do you like sleaze? Then “Cheap” might be a movie you want to see. This low budget shot on video film by internet famous film reviewer Brad Jones is dripping in it from start to finish. The griminess of the video and the overall feel of the film makes you feel dirty from beginning to end. The film runs into a few obvious problems due to the low budget nature of the project, but the good acting, directing, and script really power through to provide a entertaining, if disturbing experience.
Jack Stone (Brad Jones) a porno director is looking for the next big thing. He decides he wants to make a real snuff film. He finds two girls, Patty and Anita, to star in the film, and gets his perverted former associate, Manny, to film the movie. They then make a snuff film, which they sell to porn producer Max Force (David Gobble). Will they find success?
“Cheap” is a very odd movie, even for an exploitation film about making a snuff film. I was initially put off by it’s near two hour run time, which is unusual in the realm of this genre. But when you watch “Cheap” everything comes together very nicely, and the story really drives everything forward at a good pace. I really couldn’t think of anything that could be cut out of the film.
Another thing about it is the lack of very many conventional screenwriting motifs that are in most scripts. There isn’t a protagonist, or really an antagonist for that matter. Sure Jack Stone is killing people for profit, but Max Force is a wife beating drug addict. Still though, the great writing doesn’t make you think of this much and you can really pick your own side in it.
“Cheap” does have a few cheap moments though, which considering the budget doesn’t bring the film down much. A few of the kicks and hits look pretty bad, and at one point a prop for a human heart is an aluminum foil ball in blood! A lot of scenes are very convincing and disturbing though.
Overall I recommend “Cheap”. For a shot of video low budget film it has a lot of potential.
PROS
Great writing
Great acting
Great directing
the story is pretty twisted, but kind of fun too.
Really good soundtrack
CONS
Some bad audio
Fake kicking
could’ve used a tripod in some parts
Overall
3.5/5