Film Review: Gravesend (1996)

In 1990s many aspiring American independent film makers tried to repeat the feat of Robert Rodriguez and Kevin Smith by reaching fame to debut films made with ridiculously small amount of money. One such attempt was Gravesend, 1996 crime drama written and directed by Salvatore Stabile.

The film is based on unfinished novel Stabile was writing as a teenager, inspired by his life in Gravesend, working class neighbourhood of Brooklyn, which serves as a film’s setting. Protagonists are four teenagers – Zane (played by Tony Tucci), Ray (played by Michael Parducci), Chicken (played by Tom Malloy) and Mikey (played by Thomas Brandise) – who lives revolve around alcohol, drugs and petty crime that supports such lifestyle. They spend every Saturday evening in the basement of Zane’s house, but when Zane accidentally kills Ray’s older brother Mark (played by Sean Quinn) friends find themselves with a serious problem. Solution is offered by JoJo the Junkie (played by Mackey Aquillino), janitor and drug addict who will help them dispose of the body in exchange for 500 US$. Four friends will spend the rest of the evening trying to gather the money and, while doing so, they will commit crimes and get themselves into additional trouble.

Stabile, who also narrates the film and who was 19 during the production, originally invested 5000 US$ inherited by his grandparents into the film. He later managed to raise the budget to 65000 US$ and when Gravesend finally premiered at Seattle Film Festival, it gained a lot of sympathy by critics and more snobbish audience. Oliver Stone was quite impressed and championed the film, later helping with distribution. While Stabile should be commended for his enthusiasm and ability to make film with limited resources, Gravesend is far below the standards of the debut films of Rodriguez and Smith. While it possesses certain charm in its naturalistic depiction of everyday life in big American city, aided by cinematography by Joseph Dell’Olio, much of the freshness runs out after first 15 minutes. Too many scenes are repetitive, dialogues are unfunny and many plot twists are predictable. Even Stabile’s narration sound irritating and the ending featuring irrational violence would make many some regret spending hour and half of their lives on this watchable, but ultimately disappointing work of independent cinema.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

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