Movie Review: “The Bouncer’ – A Modest Indie Action Thriller with Heart.

‘The Bouncer’, is a modestly executed indie action film by director Massimiliano Cerchi, that serves up a straightforward tale set against the gritty backdrop of Romania.

The film follows American fugitive Frank Sharp, who, whilst hiding out in the city, takes up work as a bouncer at a local nightclub. He encounters  Sylvia, a woman suffering abuse, whom he rescues only to realize she’s been held up in a human trafficking ring. He saves her but they must now work together to find a way to evade Kane, a relentless crime boss who is set on reclaiming what he sees as his property.

The premise is admittedly simple and almost cliché, just like its storyline. There are far too many films that could easily be similar to this.

Written by Massimiliano Cerchi and Adrian Milnes, the script doesn’t waste time with elaborate plot twists or intellectual puzzles. Instead, it gets right to the point. This straightforward approach works for the film, avoiding unnecessary attempts to be overly clever or complex. Here, the writers let the action and emotions drive the story forward without any unnecessary excesses.

John Ozuna in The Bouncer 2024

At the centre of ‘The Bouncer‘ is John Ozuna’s portrayal of Frank Sharp, a man bearing the weight of his past. He carries a quiet sense of accountability for a prior incident that, while not entirely his fault, he still holds himself responsible for and seeks some form of redemption. Initially, Frank is almost stoic, seemingly incapable of showing emotion. Well, until he meets Sylvia (played by Rosemary Yaneva). It’s this spark of compassion that drives Frank’s decisions for the rest of the story, adding a sense of purpose to his journey as he risks everything to protect her. John Ozuna’s performance fortunately brings some depth to a character that otherwise might have been portrayed as a mere action figure.

Adding tension and intensity to the film is Costas Mandylor as Kane, the crime boss with an unforgiving nature. Mandylor brings some air of menace and disdain to the character Kane, which fuels the pursuit and adds stakes to the story. Kane’s motivation is clear but doesn’t quite seem justifiable. He wants Sylvia back, and he’ll go to extreme lengths to make that happen. His motivation may lack nuance, but Mandylor’s commitment to the role gives the film a necessary edge.

There are themes of redemption, sacrifice and accountability subtly woven into the narrative. These themes emerge through the character arcs rather than overt exposition and unfortunately could easily go unnoticed. Even though they are ardently emphasized, they add a layer of complexity, particularly to Frank‘s character. Fortunately, also, a few details about his past are gradually revealed through carefully placed flashbacks, giving insight into why he’s a fugitive and why he possesses the surprising fighting skills he brings to every confrontation.

Speaking of which, the fight choreography and action sequences are quite decent. The camera movements, editing, and visual effects work cohesively to support the actors’ performances, allowing the film’s action elements to shine. These scenes don’t try to reinvent the wheel, but they’re competently executed, lending credibility to the action without attempting to do more than the film’s budget likely allowed.

Rosemary Yaneva in The Bouncer 2024

One of the film’s strengths lies in its modesty. The nearly empty streets, limited cast, and simple storyline don’t try to exceed their scope, and this restraint ultimately serves ‘The Bouncer‘ well. The film remains grounded, aware of its indie roots, and doesn’t fall into the trap of packing too much into its narrative. Its 75-minute runtime feels well-suited to the story, offering enough time to flesh out the core plot without boring the viewer.

However, some technical aspects, especially the sound don’t quite hit the mark. There are a few moments where the location sound feels amateurish. You can easily tell that some ADR work has been done to try and patch it all up. But these things are often common with most indie films. The sound levels are not steady throughout and it just throws you off in several of the scenes.

Ultimately, ‘The Bouncer’ is a decently crafted indie action film that doesn’t try to over-impress. Much like the story it tells, everything here is simple and to the point. It might not rise high on the ranks of action thrillers but it is quite decent and pleasant, to say the least.

For those entering without high expectations, it’s a passable action thriller that focuses on delivering a straightforward narrative without unnecessary frills.

I will score this film 5.5/10.