A Fancy Piece of Homicide

A Fancy Piece of Homicide is the very embodiment of a psychological suspense thriller from 2017 directed by Joseph Varhola. This intriguing independent movie, featuring Karen Baum, Rik Billock, and Rachel Boyde, offers a captivating and vivid narrative that holds audiences on the edge of their seats.

At the heart of the story is a retired criminal defense attorney, portrayed compellingly by the talented Karen Baum, who has recently lost her husband. After returning to her hometown in Pittsburgh, she suddenly finds herself dragged into a murder case that thrusts her professional abilities and personal boundaries to the fore.

Karen Baum's character challenges the boundaries of her nature as she gets embroiled in solving a brutally committed homicide. Amid the quest to uncover the truth, she is set to the monumental task of examining her fears and insecurities. Baum tackles her role with a unique blend of stoic determination and restrained emotion, embodying the legal prowess and human vulnerability of her character convincingly.

Rik Billock, displaying his impressive acting abilities, plays an enigmatic character who adds layers of intrigue and complexity to the plot. His presence and uncanny influence underscore the significance of manipulation and deception within the narrative. The audience is propelled on a thrilling ride as they attempt to decipher his motivations and how he fits into this complex conundrum.

Rachel Boyde adds an extra dimension to the film’s intriguing narrative as she wrestles with her character’s past and navigates her way through an uncertain future. Her portrayal of a woman grappling with her personal fears mirrors the intense psychological struggles explored throughout the film.

The film's narrative unfolds within an atmosphere of eerie darkness, mirroring the bleakness of the circumstances and the grim nature of the crime. The film captures the audience with a growing sense of dread and an escalating tension that lingers until the final scene. Subtle clues are scattered all across the narrative, urging viewers to piece together the puzzle themselves.

A Fancy Piece of Homicide possesses all elements quintessential to a film noir: a brutal murder, an apparently unsolvable mystery, unrealistic fears, and existential angst. However, it goes a step further by offering audiences a female perspective on the dark side of human nature, a departure from the typically male-centric narratives in this genre.

Director Joseph Varhola shows great finesse in composing each scene. The way the film shifts between realities and illusions mirrors the protagonist's mental state, creating ambiguity about what’s real and what isn't. The flawless symbiosis of light and darkness that Varhola uses as metaphorical hints helps develop an engaging plot, making it more suspenseful while drawing the audience further into understanding each character and their narratives.

The screenplay, also co-written by Varhola, does an excellent job of incorporating elements of suspense and mental play across the film. The powerful dialogues and the steady unfolding of a layered and deeply complex storyline contribute to the engrossing ambience of the film.

Another major attribute of A Fancy Piece of Homicide is its elegant and haunting cinematography paired with an evocative musical score that brings out the grim nature of the narrative beautifully. This pairing of visuals and sounds accompanies the audience on a thrilling journey as they search for answers, threading their way through smoky shadows and whispers of revelations.

The overall performances of the cast, especially Karen Baum, Rik Billock and Rachel Boyde, are the canvas of the film. They immerse themselves in their characters, reaching into intriguing depths with each scene, taking the audience along this thrilling omnibus of murder, suspense, and mystery.

A Fancy Piece of Homicide is undoubtedly a fascinating psychological thriller that skillfully blends mystery, suspense, and noir-influenced narrative. The powerful performances of the lead cast, the visually compelling storytelling, and its haunting music make it a fascinating watch for fans of the thriller genre and film noir. While it dives deep into the complexities of the human mind, it also offers viewers an intriguing murder mystery that is hard to forget.