We Gotta Get Out of This Place

Crime thriller We Gotta Get Out of This Place has received outstanding reviews by UK film fanatics after its screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival last month. The coming-of-age feature follows the lives of three disillusioned youths, two of whom – as the title suggests – yearn to sever all ties with their sterile home town in pursuit of the big city. Shot in and around Texas, directors Simon and Zeke Hawkins have been praised for encapsulating the spirit of the lone star state and the solitude of the small town South. Teaming up with cinematographer Jeff Bierman for their directorial debut, the Hawkins brothers expertly reflect the gritty, grimy atmosphere which is almost as suffocating as the leading trio’s home town.

The film begins with best friends Bobby (Jeremy Allen White) and Sue (Mackenzie Davis) preparing to flee to the city for a college education, leaving behind Sue’s boyfriend B.J (Logan Huffman). The impetuous B.J steals from his boss’ safe with the intention of giving the pair “a good send off”, but before long, boss Giff (Mark Pellegrino) is on a manhunt for “the mother******” responsible for his missing cash”. From this point the plot thickens, twists and turns as the three get sucked in to committing serious crimes and ultimately betraying one other. Pellegrino’s performance as the lead adversary Giff is particularly compelling. Oozing with sleaze and brutality, Giff’s threatening demeanor is what pushes the helpless youths further in to the sordid and corrupt underbelly of the town, of which there appears to be no way out.

This gritty neo-noir thriller sets a shining example of just what indie filmmakers can be capable of and the Hawkins directors must be highly commended for such an intense debut that is gripping from start to finish.

Gemma Whitfield

We Gotta Get Out of This Place is released nationwide on 15^th August 2014.

Watch the trailer for We Gotta Get Out of This Place here: