The Vicious Kind (9.5/10) Revisited

Indie films just seem to have more to them. They have a fantastic natural and personal touch. Characters are allowed to develop and grow on you over simple matters. "Transformers" just uses explosions, death defying situations and hot chicks to make you care for it's character (it still doesn't work). "The Vicious Kind" build strong characters and great presence from scene one. "The Vicious Kind" tells the story of an older, jaded and hate filled older brother Caleb (Adam Scott) and his relationship with the people in his younger more optimistic brother Peter's(Alex Frost) life. This includes their estranged and bizarre father (J.K Simmons) and Peter's new girlfriend Emma (Brittany Snow). The story is driven by Caleb. Adam Scott (the other brother from "Step Brothers") is so good in his role it's phenomenal. It's more than just a breakthrough, it's revelatory. Caleb is a man who has been hurt by a woman and now believes that every woman (to the littlest child to the sweetest grandma) want to screw you over in the end. He sends deathly glares at some and fidgets around others. This doesn't mean their out of his life completely, he'd just rather not have to associate with them. His brother Peter is in love for the first time. Emma is his first girlfriend and it shows. Peter comes across a very nice and straight man, but Emma has he claws in him. Peter does things he'd never have done before without Emma but this isn't all bad. Relationships change people and that's good but there something not quite right about Emma (you'll find out by watching). "The Vicious Kind" is filled with little messages and actions that just change the entire film when you see them. I enjoy things like this. It let's you carefully examine a film and the rewards are evident. "The Vicious Kind" was one of the best films of 2009, it's greatness needs to be shared.

9.5/10 (bumped up the .5 on repeat viewings when I began to notice the little things)

Recommendation: It's got a lot of heart and strength. It's a classic indie drama so it's not for action junkies, but just give it a shot, you shouldn't regret it.