Limbo Is A Charming Call-Back to Legal Dramas While Staying Unique and Interesting
Jimmy awakens from slumber, lifting his head from the office desk upon which his forehead rested. The room in which he finds himself is ornate with garrish clutter of banality, and yet a curious, foreign aesthetic. Something does not feel right. Sitting across from him, a stoic, cool and collected young man is going over facts with him - facts pertinent to Jimmy's case, but Jimmy is confused. He has no clear recollection of how he came to be in this subtly horrific simulacrum of an early 90's police deposition room... yet that is precisely what this room is. Sitting across from Jimmy is Balthazar, his prosecutor in this testimony. Cue the percussive donk-donk sounds with which we grew up hearing from our parents' and grandparents' televisions - that is the mood this movie wants to evoke at first, and while this will stay throughout, there is much more at play in this procedural than first meets the eye.
Limbo is the newest film from Writer/Director Mark Young and released through stalwart indie powerhouse, Uncork'd Entertainment. This film is a welcome breath of fresh ideas, primed with homage to procedural legal dramas that flooded weeknight network televisions during the 90's and 00's. Taking inspiration from the template "reverse fact-finding" lawyer whodunits, mixing with an interesting character exposition, and carrying the story forward with subtle cues, Limbo is a charming and unique entry using the auspices of a courtroom drama - a Law & Order motif... only we quickly learn that the stakes in this court are far more permanent. Unique, yes, and while we have seen this same motif explored in other media for decades (centuries, really), credit must be given to a writer who can keep the story fresh, unique, and even surprising.
Suffice to say that I am purposefully avoiding revealing too much in this story, as I wish to avoid any spoilers at all - and for those who think you already know the story, you may, but I guarantee there are things that will still surprise you in this. The aforementioned Jimmy? He finds himself having to give defense for the actions of his life, and he has that help of a new attorney, Cassiel (Scottie Thompson). Cassiel must defend her nigh indefensible rogue, while matching wits against Baltahzar, known to be among the best in his field.
When you see Purefoy in a flick, you know you are in for a treat.
The acting was on point, everyone played well off each other's character, and James Purefoy swaggers into the camera, delivering sinister personality with his usual professional acumen. But, Richard Riehl stole the show for me. Rare is the occasion where I actually "lol" a literal "laugh out loud" moment. Not a stiff, snorting exhale from my nostrils - no, a solid minute or more of actual laughter (he tells a joke I have not heard, or have not heard in so long that I forgot the punchline). These moments are certainly needed and help to lighten the mood of an otherwise bleak tale.
The actors are comfortable with their roles and help keep this high concept contained and interesting.
I had no idea of what to expect watching this film, I had no preconceptions, and honestly had no clue of the story, other than it was called Limbo, and this has been one of the most enjoyable films I have watched this year. Entertaining throughout, and presented with a competence, Limbo is as compelling as it is charming.
Our M3 Senior Editor, Angelique Bone sat down and interviewed Richard Riehl around the same time I watched this movie, and you can find that delightful read here, at Monsters, Madness, and Magic.
Limbo is available on DVD and streaming platforms from Uncork'd Entertainment.
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