It's not every day that a movie is filmed in Milwaukee. We're not exactly competing with Hollywood here. Rare is the chance to see our city up on the big screen.
That's what makes "Lady in the Box" such a treat. Filmed entirely on location in Milwaukee, it's being released in local theaters today. Check out our movie guide to see where and when it's playing.
Written and directed by Milwaukee resident Christian Otjen, "Lady in the Box" was made for under $1 million. Filming took place from August to October of last year. Creepy, twisty and well acted, it's an effective thriller and well-worth seeing.
Darren Burrows, who starred as Ed on "Northern Exposure," plays Jerry Halway, a bartender at a local dive (which is actually Barnacle Bud's). Late one evening, he's having trouble getting a man to leave.
Turns out the man, Doug Sweeny (Mark Sheppard), has a proposition for Jerry. He offers him $500 to take a trunk out in his boat and dump it into the water. Though initially skeptical, it's an offer Jerry can't refuse. Doug gives him the money and in the wee hours of the following morning Jerry dumps the trunk.
Upon returning to his apartment, Jerry discovers blood everywhere and a clump of brown hair. He thinks the hair belongs to his girlfriend Jill (Paige Rowland) and that she was in the trunk. He enlists his best friend Chris (Robert Knepper) to help him with his predicament.
In classic noir fashion, the rest of the movie is full of twists and turns. There is plenty of double-crossing and not everyone is who they appear to be. Though some of it is a tad predictable, Otjen has fashioned a stylish and enjoyable film.
Shot mostly at night and around water, "Lady in the Box" successfully builds tension and apprehension. The viewer is always one step ahead of Jerry as he struggles to figure out what is going on. He finds himself in more and more trouble as the action unfolds.
Burrows makes for a convincing and likeable hero. He's just a normal guy in way over his head in something that he doesn't understand. Burrows effectively displays Jerry's growing confusion and fear.
Sheppard is equally good as the shady and mysterious Doug. His facial expressions beg Jerry not to trust him, but his money seals the deal.
Otjen and cinematographer Jerry Holway have done a commendable job of making "Lady in the Box" look great. They create the ideal atmosphere for this type of movie and display considerable talent.
"Lady in the Box" would be a good movie regardless of where it was filmed. The fact that it was filmed here makes it all the more exciting and fun to watch.
Grade: B+
"Lady in the Box" starts its exclusive Milwaukee engagement Fri., May 11.
