Read @ Joe’s

Title: Lake George (2024) Director: Jeffrey Reiner Writer: Jeffrey Reiner Studio: Magnet Releasing IMDb Plot: Two misfit oddballs embark on a road trip, strike a dubious deal too enticing to refuse, and find redemption amid shady circumstances. Joe Says: A neat-o – and neatly-presented – neo-noir flick. Lake George is simple, set in place, and entirely enjoyable.

A neat-o – and neatly-presented – neo-noir flick, Lake George is a mostly by-the-numbers crime drama that drives off into something as hot as a breathy whisper and as cool as a promised lie.

Inspired by noir classics The Killers and Double Indemnity – Carrie Coon’s femme fatale even possesses the Cain-esque handle of Phyllis – Lake George is a tale of ex-cons, coercion, greed, and – teasingly – true love. The scenario is typical noir: ex-con Don (triumphant character actor Shea Whigham jamming in a leading man role) has no prospect nor future and attempts to collect money owed by an L.A. overlord, Armen (Glenn Fleshler). But before he can acquire said money, Don is strong armed into killing Armen’s betraying squeeze, Phyllis (Coon). Phyllis goes on to persuade Don by offering Armen’s loot – hidden in stash houses around L.A. – in exchange for her freedom. 

Written and directed by veteran TV director Jeffrey Reiner (Fargo, 12 Monkeys), Lake George goes on a slight detour from tried and true noir and situates Don on a different, albeit still rough, path. Don is not a career criminal with dreams of that One Final Job. He’s a broken man who wants a solitary life in Lake George, CA (not, as can easily be confused, the Adirondack vaca spot in NY state). Don is hurt and confused and Whigham plays the role as a middle aged mess who coulda been a contender. 

Phyllis is the id to Don’s superego and deals with the house’s money. Just as Phyllis is in command of the story, Coon provides the star performance. She is sultry and shameless and self-centered; she absorbs the spotlight. 

Lake George could have been a generic road movie offering a hopeful escape. Or even a crazy romance where two star-crossed lovers are thrown together to fight against the wind. Reiner, instead, throws a clever curveball into the game. They neither run all that far nor hide extremely well. Don and Phyllis enjoy each other’s company, but Phyllis is too savvy and Don too gullible to go too far. Reiner provides several different outs, before each builds to a final, bloody gasp. 

Lake George familiarly follows all the road signs but bravely goes off road, too. The movie is simple, set in place, and entirely enjoyable.