Trouble Is My Business

Trouble Is My Business is an enthralling neo noir drama-comedy-thriller film from 2018. Directed by critically acclaimed director Tom Konkle, who also stars as a lead character, the movie is a power-packed showcase of romance, crime, and dark humor, all set against the captivating backdrop of the Golden Era of the 1940s. The film also boasts commendable performances by the talented and charismatic Vernon Wells and Brittney Powell, whose screen presence add depth and intrigue to their complex characters.

The storyline follows the life of Roland Drake, a struggling Los Angeles private detective, consummately portrayed by Tom Konkle. Drake, sidelined and nearly bankrupt after a previous case went fatally awry, is at the pit of despair - disgraced in the private detective community and surviving only on the sorry remnants of his once thriving business. His prospects brighten when a mysterious woman, Katherine Montemar, impeccably played by Brittney Powell, walks into his struggling office. Yet, as in most noir stories, every silver lining hides a storm cloud, and Drake soon finds himself stewed in a turbulent and precarious tale, filled with dilemmas and deadly encounters.

The seemingly straightforward case revolving around Katherine's missing father becomes convoluted when her father's dangerous business associates come into play. The noir narrative is richly amplified by the flamboyant role of Detective Barry Tate, played by Vernon Wells, whose performances in cult hits like Mad Max 2 and Commando have charmed audiences for years. His role as the uncompromising detective adds an edgy twist to the storyline while dialing up the intensity throughout the mystery.

As the plot unfolds, the grim realities of the 1940s underworld surface - power, greed, treachery, and fatal allure keep you on edge. Drake's dashingly dangerous dalliances bring him face to face with a gallery of memorable characters, each cloaked with their agendas, making the plot thicker and more entangled at every turn.

Brittney Powell brilliantly portrays a woman with many faces, whose mysterious aura enhances the treacherous beauty of the noir sensibilities of the plot. Her chemistry with Tom Konkle’s ruggedly attractive Roland Drake illuminates the screen, creating a captivating specter of a dance between love and potential betrayal that continues throughout the storyline.

With Trouble Is My Business, noir film aficionados will find a perfect tribute to the Golden Era of the 1940s, beautifully boxed inside modern production values. The cinematography delivers an atmospheric backdrop, and the music score, keeping with the traditions of the noir genre, facilitates the building of tension along with subtle humor. The dialogues too, are expertly crafted, brimming with cynical wit and a tinge of existential despair, mimicking classics like The Maltese Falcon and Double Indemnity.

The meticulous details of the world of 1940s Los Angeles are impeccably brought to life through the film’s impressive set design and costumes, which exhale the era's charm, grit, and glamour in equal measures. The cinematography is also visually compelling, making good use of lighting and angles to intensify the narrative's dark and brooding atmosphere.

Tom Konkle as both the director and lead actor illustrates his talent and versatility, cementing this film as an excellent contribution to the neo-noir genre. His depiction of the grizzled detective, Ronald Drake, with a mixture of deftness, vulnerability, and ironic humor, is reminiscent of hard-boiled private eyes from noir classics.

Through its character-driven narrative, Trouble Is My Business gives viewers different shades of morality and unflinching look into corruption, exploring the themes of love, betrayal, and redemption, familiar to noir aficionados. This film serves as an electrifying take on the retro noir theme, combining the vintage allure of the 1940s with a fresh take on the genre's quintessential elements.

Trouble Is My Business is not just another detective film; it is a meticulously crafted, slick piece of noir cinema that will leave the viewers captivated from beginning to end. The movie's gripping narrative, combined with the performances of its talented cast, delivers a genuinely unforgettable cinema experience celebrating the essence of the classic film noir era while using modern cinematic techniques for a consummate blend of old and new.