Don't Let Go
Boasting a terrific premise but sticking to a somewhat conventional narrative, Don’t Let Go is an entertaining film that leaves much to be desired. There are not many surprises found inside the mystery at the film’s centre but it is skillfully assembled enough to be worth a watch.
Don’t Let Go revolves around Jack Radcliff (David Oyelowo), a homicide detective whose brother Garett (Brian Tyree Henry) and niece Ashley (Storm Reid) are found dead in an apparent murder-suicide. A few days later, Jack starts receiving calls from Ashley and he realizes that he can communicate with her in the past. From here, he begins to try and change the past in order to save Ashley and his brother.
David Oyelowo gives an adequate performance. Sometimes, he sells the emotional and character moments quite well but other times, his delivery is off; it is unknown whether that is his fault or a problem with the awkward lines that he has to deliver. Storm Reid is similarly okay in her role. Her acting has improved a lot since A Wrinkle in Time and while she still struggles with her delivery at times, she is likeable and charming overall. The dialogue is a mixed bag, with some conversations coming across as natural and others containing on-the-nose theming and clunky moments of exposition. The time travel mechanics do not make any sense when the viewer starts to pick them apart but it does not linger on them long enough to be too distracting. As the tension picks up and it barrels toward the inevitable climax, it gets better and more engaging, leading to a decently satisfying conclusion despite an incredibly predictable twist.
Jason Estes’s direction is better than his script. He manages to elevate the material by stripping it down to its bare parts and not leaving much filler. The cinematography by Sharone Meir is competent and sometimes rises above that, sporting some good shots that do their best to compensate for the unappealing, mostly grey colour palette. The score by Ethan Gold is decent throughout. There are some formulaic action movie tracks here and there but several more that are appropriately atmospheric and emotional. Billy Fox and Scott D. Hanson’s editing is solid and as it goes on, it does some clever things to bridge the two concurrent timelines, such as overlapping sound effects and good use of crosscutting. It also keeps the pacing relatively quick, which prevents things from getting dull.
Don’t Let Go may not be a particularly memorable film but it is one that remains mostly compelling throughout its lean runtime. It is a perfect aeroplane or cable watch, as it proves to be undemanding entertainment that does exactly what it says on the tin.
Don't Let Go is released August 30th 2019