Available on DVD! To buy, click on link(s) below and help keep this site afloat (commissions earned)   CLICK HERE to buy from V.O.D. Always make sure of DVD-compatibility!!!

To go fishing with his friend Benny (Evan Lewis Dolinski), 14 year old Ty (Tivon Charles) has to bring his little sister Jazz (Payton Mills), as she'd otherwise be scared home alone. Everything goes nicely as Jazz knows her way around the fishing rod better than Ty had expected ... and then Benny has the idea to buy some weed off some guy (Thain Wesley) who lives in the woods, something Ty's not too crazy about but Jazz is game. Thing is, what our heroes don't know, this guy has a pedophile streak and he takes an instant liking to Jazz - and it's not long before the situation escalates, culminating in Ty stabbing the guy to death with a jackknife he has brought for fishing purposes. Benny just runs off home, but the situation isn't as simple for Ty and Jazz as they're of colour and the sheriff of their hometown (Red Carlsen) is a known racist. So they decide to go on the run and head for Canada. Meanwhile, their mother Liz (Erica Sherwood) is worried sick about her kids, but because of their skin colour the sheriff's office doesn't treat their disappearance too seriously. Only a state trooper (Michael James) who's in town for another case shows some sympathy, especially since the kids' disappearance might be linked to that other case. And it really is, because you see, the dead man (who hasn't yet been found even) and his brother Billy (Douglas Vermeeren) are wanted criminals he has been trailing for years, Thing is, Ty has taken some a stash of drugs off the dead man, whom Billy considers his, and he has taken up pursuit of the kids - and he's dangerous for sure ...

A very nice blend of crime thriller, adventure movie and social commentary that works quite so well because it doesn't just try to make its point but also tell an entertaining and engaging story in the process that features relatable characters that are not just defined by the colour of their skin but support the narrative more than the message. And of course, a solid cast, down to the kid actors, helps bring this movie to life rather nicley, as does a subtle directorial effort, making this one into a cool yet thought-provoking cinematic ride.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)

The links below will take you just there!!!

Find Jackknife at the amazons ...   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.de Looking for imports? Find Jackknife here ...   eThaiCD.com Your shop for all things Thai

Thanks for watching !!!