This feature film is currently available on Blu-ray from MVD Visual.
As we all remember, the world generally shut down for 2020 and much of 2021. Due to the large number of cast and crew who are involved in film shoots, many studio productions were halted during this period. However, a few low and micro-budgeted independent features were completed. Many of them, well, clearly showed their limitations, but a few showed some promise. The hostage drama/comedy Wrong Reasons is one of these small projects that managed to overcome great obstacles. MVD Visual is now releasing it on Blu-ray.
The movie was written and directed by Josh Roush, who is known for his making-of documentaries on features by Kevin Smith (specifically, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot and Clerks III). Smith himself served as executive producer and helped finance the project. Filmmaker Roush’s wife plays the lead role and it all feels like a very small group of friends and family getting together and making a little feature while waiting out the pandemic.
Kat Oden (Liv Roush) is a LA-based punk musician with a small following. Her albums, while popular with critics and music enthusiasts, haven’t connected with mainstream audiences. This and other personal problems have left Kat addicted to drugs. One night, she is kidnapped by a figure in a mask, who takes her to a cabin in nearby Idyllwild. Back in the city, Detective Charles Dobson (Ralph Garman) takes charge of the police investigation. Unfortunately, the ex-actor seems primarily interested in using the case to further his own career. He makes a deal with news reporter Julie Marin (Teresa Ruiz) to give her exclusives as long as she and her cameraman (Kevin Smith) make him look good and help broker a network deal. Soon the kidnapper James Winandi (James Parks) reveals his identity to Kat and the reasons for his actions. After the two watch TV and see James’s brother Marshall (David Koechner) and others promoting themselves instead of showing concern, the pair form a friendship.
Yes, this is a low-budget effort (and one that does feel like it was made by pulling together resources on the fly), but it does feature some impressive cinematography and solid performances you wouldn’t normally see in such a small production. While Kat gets plenty of time as the lead, the movie is just as concerned with how little the detective, media personalities and family members actually care for the victim, only using the situation to further their own personal interests.
Rather than set it all within one location, the filmmaker has managed to add a bit of production value by jumping between characters and locales. The movie also takes shots at extreme right-wing newscasts with some on-air commentary bits that don’t feel far removed from what was really being broadcast on some networks during the pandemic. This approach does generate some extra intrigue.
Of course, it isn’t perfect. The film is far from subtle in its approach or depictions of the selfishness of others. And while it can’t be helped, some of these self-centered characters do have a one-note feel to them. The general theme of the movie is pretty clear from the outset, so James never comes across as desperate or dangerous. As such, Kat’s kidnapping and captivity doesn’t generate as much dramatic tension or stress as it could have.
Still, overall it is better than one would expect. Some of the discussions between Kat and James about the world around them offer some interesting observations and the movie should impress those who appreciate plucky low-budget filmmaking.
Those who pick up the Blu-ray can also see and hear plenty of interesting bonus features. As expected, there is a director commentary featuring both Josh and Liv Roush, the co-producer and the composer, as well as a second track with the filmmaker and Kevin Smith. Smith also delivers an introduction to the picture, explaining how he got involved and ended up taking an acting role in it. There’s also an hour-long Q&A featuring Josh and Liv Roush, Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman. All of the material provides some specifics in regard to the budget, shooting during the pandemic and more. There are also deleted scenes (one featuring Fred Armisen) and outtakes, a trailer, and a comedic short film made by Roush.
Making an independent feature with very little resources is difficult at the best of times, but those who admire such efforts and can forgive a few production shortcomings will find things here to enjoy. In the end, Wrong Reasons was made for the right reasons. It presents a passionate argument on the power of music and the finished product shows promise for Roush’s future endeavors.