She is Captive on THE LEDGE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres, Digital and On Demand from director Howard J. Ford and Saban Films comes a climb for survival until reaching THE LEDGE.

Kelly (Brittany Ashworth) and bestie Sophie (Anais Parello) are out in the woodsy mountains to do a little climbing. They meet a band of guys clearly led by Joshua (Ben Lamb) with Reynolds (Nathan Welsh), Nathan (Louis Boyer) and Taylor (David Wayman).

Sitting around the campfire having a few drinks and laughs, things turn serious when Sophie teases Joshua. It is clear he does not find her amusing as a darkness sets over them all. When she goes off, the angry Joshua follows and what happens next is horrendous. Reynolds, Nathan and Taylor are panicked by what has happened and listen to everything Joshua tells them.

Hearing the commotion, Kelly grabs her camera and follows the sounds recording every horrible detail. Joshua hears her and notices the camera yelling for all of them to go after her. Doing her best to get away back to the cabin, she grabs a bag with the camera inside and runs!

Knowing they are only steps away; Kelly does what she knows how to do – climb! Heading up the face of the mountain, she finds a spot that the men cannot get to easily. Settling on a precarious ledge, Joshua is determined to get the camera and does not care who or what he sacrifices to get it.

He did not count on coming up against a strong woman and an immovable mountain!

Ashworth as Kelly is no shrinking violet in this film! Fighting for her life and for the truth about Sophie is all she is concerned with. There is no ego in the mix like those chasing her. Doing what she clearly is good at and has been trained for is what is keeping her on that tiny ledge. I enjoyed her performance if only to see Ashworth’s character was not about to back down AND can climb like a very cute mountain goat. Well done!

Lamb as Joshua is clearly a psychopath immediately into the film. Having total control of those around him, Joshua seems to have made it his life’s work to beat down anyone who gets in his way. Controlling his friends when they know good and well he is insane was the part that had my head shaking. Then again, that’s what you want when playing a character like this and Lamb gave it everything.

Boyer, Welsh and Wayman are the ‘friends’ who continually make excuses and exceptions for Joshua’s behavior. This is a very twisted and dangerous batch of guys who are clinging to a ‘bro code’ out of sheer fear. They know what he is capable of and have experienced it firsthand for years but stopping him is something each of them is unable to do. Going after Kelly is not exactly on their list for an exciting weekend, but neither is dealing with the ugly and frightening Joshua.

Saban Films was launched in 2014 and has built an impressive slate of high-quality feature films distributed with partner Lionsgate. Focusing on talent-driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production to be released across multiple platforms. Films such as SISTER OF THE GROOM, FATMAN and BREACH are part of the wonderful Saban slate, and more information can be found at www.sabanfilms.com.

THE LEDGE is a thriller from beginning to end that is a frightening and disturbing cat and mouse game with a mountain between them. Is it perfect? No. Are their things that sort of take the viewer out of the story for moments here and there? Yes. Is there wording that I could have done without. Yes. I have yet to see a film that does not make me want to go ‘huuuuummmmm’.

Once Ashworth’s character Kelly is on the ledge, I am hooked because she is mentally stronger and less likely to fall apart than the disturbingly-nutty counterpart Joshua. Kelly thinks things through, one step at a time and remembers all she has learned about being on the side of a mountain. Joshua makes hasty decisions based on anger that someone has control over the situation and has the camera!

Having the second half of the film focused on the power of the mountain and that becomes the only cinematography that matters. Ropes and ranting are the theme of the rest of the film and the story gives a grand lesson in patience comes to those who can handle being on a ledge.

In the end – do not lose your grip!

THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI

 Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Swati Bhise and Roadside Attractions is a tale of battle and the unexpected warriors who fight it with THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI.

Rani Lakshmibai (Devika Bhise) is a young woman married into the royal family becoming Queen of Jhansi. Happy in her marriage, the only unhappiness is the loss of a child yet the adoption of a nephew means a prince and the royal line to continue. Witnessing the adoption is Major Robert Ellis (Ben Lamb) and Sir Robert Hamilton (Nathaniel Parker). Not long after that, husband Gangadhar Rao passes as well.

As the years move on, the East India Company attempts to crush Indian provinces and Lakshmibal is a Queen in their way. Queen Victoria (Jodhi May) understands and makes it clear that she doesn't want the people hurt. The one person who doesn't care about that is Sir Hamilton. He considers all the people of India savages and wants to crush them under his boots.

Major Ellis has been a friend to Lakshmibai for years and tries to explain to Major General Sir Hugh Rose (Rupert Everett) that the Queen only wants what is best for her people. Attack after attack, Lakshmibai reaches out to the Indian people to come together because the British soldiers no longer have respect for their friendship.

Bhise as Lakshmibai is stunning in her portrayal of the Jhansi Queen. Learning from the men around her, there comes a time when she must say out loud 'I am capable' and when she does they listen. Bhise gives her character a fearlessness wrapped in the beauty of a sari that is belted with a sword. I see it as saying 'never forget that I may be the woman but can fight like a man'. Remember a certain red-headed Queen who believed that about herself?

Lamb as Ellis watches the Queen grow into her responsibilities. He may have feelings for and want to protect her but he also understands what she is doing. There is a conflict for him in being an officer and a man. He tries his best to be on both sides but in this case it may just be too much to ask.

Parker as Hamilton is just a plain out and out cruel, savage human being. He doesn't want there to be a peace, he wants to kill every last person who gets in his way. He lies, manipulates and lay in wait when no one is around to do his dirty deeds. The character of Parker is just a reflection of others in that time who felt the exact same way. Parker really does this character evil.

Everett as Maj. Gen. Rose hears both sides but has his orders. The only problem is I'm never really sure what his side is? He says one thing and yet does another knowing that Hamilton is just an instigator. He trusts Ellis but yet doesn't show it. He is truly a confusing character but I'm happy to see Everett on the screen once again.

May as Queen Victoria is a monarch who doesn't want to choose sides but it is her friendship with Saleem Khan that helps her see the sadness of it all. The orders she gives are not followed and there fall out (but not enough for my liking). Omar Malik as Saleem makes certain that Queen Victoria understands the struggle and isn't afraid of any Englishman.

Other cast include R. Bhakti Klein as Walrus Moustache, Glenn Webster as Lord, Nagesh Bhonsie as Bakshish Ali and Derek Jacobi as Lord Palmerston.

This film once again speaks about the era where one group of people feel that another group are savages because they have their own culture, beliefs, traditions and spirit to hold onto their country.

Under the leadership of Lakshmibai, the fight didn't start because of her and it certainly didn't stop because of her. She instilled a sense of right for her people and it carried on to others even when The East India Company was abolished much to the hostility of Sir Hamilton.

India is a country filled with a history that is absolutely stunning and majestic and THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI shows just that. The richness of tradition is equal to the costuming and music that is so haunting but hits the soul. The cast brings this story full circle with all of these elements combined.

This film is a history lesson yes but more than that. It is a story of a people who understand that it is their duty to fight to keep who they are. They continually make it clear that no one has the right to take away what they hold dear and I couldn't appreciate that more.

In the end - she fought and died for the freedom of her people.