For Hannah

Directed by John Wesley Norton, For Hannah follows a bank robber (Shannon Brown’s Chance) as he decides to hide out within the remote farmhouse owned by a bickering couple (Ric Morgan’s Frank and Carla Abruzzo’s Emma) – with problems ensuing after it becomes clear that said couple isn’t quite as harmless as they appear. Filmmaker Norton, working from his own screenplay, delivers a run-of-the-mill thriller that’s elevated by its central performances and smattering of tense, engaging sequences, and yet it’s equally clear that For Hannah‘s rough-around-the-edges atmosphere consistently prevents the viewer from wholeheartedly connecting to the narrative – with the picture’s arms-length feel perpetuated by such underwhelming elements as DC McAuliffe’s chintzy score and an ongoing emphasis on weird, jarring attempts at humor (eg a news reporter can’t think of the word for arson). And although its 112 minute runtime is nothing short of absurd, For Hannah admittedly does progress into a twist-laden final third that manages, at the very least, to surprise the viewer on a continuing basis – with the thoroughly note-perfect final scene ensuring that the whole thing concludes on just about as positive a note as one could’ve envisioned. The final result is a hit-and-miss endeavor that contains its fair share of undeniably gripping interludes and set-pieces (eg a police officer arrives at Frank and Emma’s door), which cements For Hannah‘s place as a decent-enough calling card that, one assumes (and hopes), bodes well for Norton’s future attempts behind the camera.

**1/2 out of ****