BLU-RAY REVIEW: The Barber

[JessHorsley]

Scott Glenn Brings Chills And Thrills In This Suspense-filled Drama...

Lately, people have started to again take notice of actor Scott Glen, who's been seen of late on the made for Netflix Marvel TV series Daredevil. Starring as Matt Murdock/Daredevil's mentor Stick, Glenn delivers a fine supporting role. Glenn, who's mostly known for supporting roles - from 1980's Urban Cowboy and 1985's Silverado to 1991's Backdraft and 2011's Sucker Punch. Now, fans of this fine actor can find him staring in The Barber, the first film from Chapman Filmed Entertainment.

Formed by the Dodge College of Film & Media Arts at California's Chapman University, Chapman Filmed Entertainment looks to bring together film school students and experienced industry entertainers on new projects that'll have high entertainment value and low budgets. Enter director Owies and producer Travis Knox and their collaboration with Scott Glenn, Chris Coy and a plethora of impressive supporting actors who deliver an intense exploration of obsession, murder and evil that never sleeps.

Glenn delivers an awesome performance as Francis Allen Visser, a man arrested for a string of serial murders in the Chicago area. A killer is leaving women buried alive and police detective Thomas McCormack (Thomas Calabro) is obsessed with the case...and Visser as a suspect. After McCormack arrests Visser, he's forced to let him walk due to a lack evidence. McCormack spirals and his obsession leads to his eventual suicide, leaving behind his young son, John, orphaned and alone. Jump 20 years into the future, in modern day Moraine, a small town in Wisconsin, we find Visser, now going by the name Eugene Van Wingerdt. A small business owner and best friends with the local sheriff, Eugene is a staple of the community; the friendly, elderly barber everyone knows and loves. But when an adult John McCormack (an intense Coy) arrives in town, having tracked down Visser after two decades of searching, it seems the father's obsession is now the son's as well.

Again, Glenn delivers a slow-burning and immersive performance as Visser, with Chris Coy delivers an engaging performance as the not so trustworthy John McCormack, who - like is father - is obsessed with something that may bring him - and others - nothing but heartache and pain. Other cast members include Kristen Hager as Audrey, a woman who comes to town looking for McCormack - and finds Eugene first, and Olivia Taylor Dudley as local waitress Kelli, who become unknowing bait in a deadly game of cat and mouse, the film's cast delivers. Likewise, the slow-burning story is well paced thanks to a script by screenwriter Max Enscoe, which makes for an engaging experience that will impress fans of thrillers and chillers.

As far as picture and sound, the blu-ray features solid delivery all around. The 1080p picture captures the rural setting of the film with natural lighting while the 5.1 lossless DTS-HD MA soundtrack focuses on dialogue delivery, with the environmental sound delivery handled with effectiveness, but nothing overly impressive or dynamic. As far as special features, the blu-ray includes an alternate ending, four deleted scenes, two extended scenes and the film's trailer.

Overall, thanks to a solid script and story, good directing and a cast lead by Glenn, The Barber delivers an intense, engaging and entertaining film experience that's sure to be appreciated by fans of suspense.

The Barber is available now on blu-ray, DVD and Digital home video wherever fine home video is sold.

- Jess C. Horsley

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