Movie Review: The Lonely Crowd
One-liner: Good co-lead chemistry, thoughtful writing and entertaining genre play help smooth over rough edges in this indie romance thriller.
The Lonely Crowd is an intriguing crime caper from David St. Clair. The story centres on a couple whose disastrous first date takes a sharp turn when an incident involving a suitcase of missing money drags them into a dangerous waters. When Peter, a cynical ex-baseball player, steps in to play the hero, their date is hijacked, sparking an unexpected road trip under threat from a group of volatile criminals.
The film explores the concept of a couple getting a second chance to find their spark after starting off on the wrong foot. Framed as a battle of the sexes, the crime genre takes the lead as the romantic interests become ensnared in a plot involving missing money. While on the run, they have the opportunity to get to know each other better, enduring trauma and re-examining failed relationships in an effort not to repeat the same mistakes.
The characters put each other to the test, discovering that a “happily ever after” might just be around the corner. This indie caper blends strong romance with dark comedy, ranging from brutal violence to lighter moments of levity. Ambitious in its genre flexibility, the film veers from crime thriller to offbeat rom-com. The story is propelled by the suspense of a “will-they-or-won’t-they” romance, even as the characters face constant danger through kidnapping and pursuit.
Coarse language and dark comedy pepper a script that is surprisingly thought-provoking in its examination of modern relationships, with real moments centred on Peter and Ashley, who serve as the film’s engine room. Their chemistry and slow-burning romance keep things ticking along as they become more romantically entangled. This seesawing element and search for love is the main driving force for The Lonely Crowd, which effectively houses itself within the shell of a crime thriller. While the criminals – and Ashley’s own past – haunt the narrative, these elements balance out to create an entertaining film with broad appeal.
“Right now, we’re all the third wheel…”
The movie finds its stride with charming performances from a solid ensemble. Adam Wesley brings an aloof, brooding vibration to his role, making his altruistic quest mysterious. It’s never quite clear what his true motivations are beyond wanting to see the best in Ashley, who initially dismisses him. Taylor Anne Danehower plays Ashley with a streetwise temperament -tough, yet emotionally fragile. As she tries to shake off the consequences of her involvement in a theft, she discovers just how much of a “good guy” she has met.
The main focus remains on the co-leads, whose push-pull dynamic keeps things interesting as their hard exteriors soften and they analyse their personal shortfalls. While their combustible chemistry suggests a story that could easily play on a much larger stage, this is a valiant indie effort that is occasionally, though understandably, constrained by its modest budget.
Overall, it does enough to keep you emotionally invested in the unlikely couple. Their budding romance is the fuel for the fire, embroidered by gunplay and a ragtag crew of criminals. Tonally, the film is a bit of a tricky balancing act, sometimes struggling to bridge the gap between crime drama and romantic comedy. More comedy might have boosted the entertainment value, as the deep dive into crime drama occasionally operates more as a vehicle for the character dynamic than as its own entity.
This lack of a singular genre vision also makes the soundtrack feel a bit distracting at times. However, the enigmatic actors keep the mystery alive as their characters are gradually revealed. Despite some uneven pacing, there is a satisfying payoff at the end. While this resolution feels a bit tagged on, the clever “bad date” story and charming leads maintain enough momentum to make The Lonely Crowd a fun, entertaining albeit dark joy ride. As an indie film it has its unavoidable shortcomings but manages to push through mostly thanks to its ambitious genre play, engaging story, intricate dialogue and charming co-leads.
The bottom line: Fun
