Rub

I have to admit I was not very leaned into watching this one, but I was convinced by the reviews, which seem to be written by real film buffs. It's watchable, but... except for the main characters and the mechanic, all others exageratedly overact their parts. SUPER ARTIFICIAL!!! The "cops", Trevor, the boss, the shop owner... pffff... The story is actually OK, but, having been able to go either towards the road movie or "good guy works it out" types, it went neither way, and got stuck in the middle. Like one of the reviewrs said, and I agree: photo is good and it is well shot. Nothing else I can say about it.

I've never found it so difficult to review a movie without spoiling it. The easy stuff - it is incredibly well written, well shot, and well produced for a film with this budget. The score was pretty much perfect, and the sound design/recording was an enviable 98% awesome, just because there were 2 or 3 very short scenes where the voice mixing/acoustics didn't seem quite right. The 2 main characters are brilliantly and convincingly acted, most of the rest of the cast is very good too - again, with only a couple of exceptions that were still OK, but not as good as the rest. The story.... From a few minutes in it kept me riveted, right up to the end. But there was a moment when the characters suddenly seemed to not be themselves. You'll know it when you see it, and although it is entirely deliberate I think it is this moment that will polarize your thoughts of the film. I'm honestly still not sure if I actually liked this film... But I am sure that it was a very good film. Well written, well made, well performed, surprising, funny, dark, odd and yet relatable. To everyone involved in "Rub" - Well done.

I noticed the filming locations of Peekskill and Brewster, NY and since I live close to both towns, I watched this film and I recgognized some places, including a motel which is listed in the end credits(Heidi's Inn). Micah Spayer is Neal, a nerd who is mocked by his co-workers for is lack of success with women. One of them gives him a business card for a massage parlor. Jennifer Figuereo is Perla, a sexy young woman who relieves Neal's stress with a body rub with a happy ending. He becomes a regular and after a robbery, the happy couple go on the run from some bad guys with evil intentions. The actors have good chemistry and the conclusion is fairly realistic. A decent way to kill an hour and forty-five minutes.

Slow burn! I haven't seen a film like this in a long time. Reminds me of 70s films I watched in film school. Gritty, dirty with sprinkles of dark humor. I knew guys like Neal growing up and a certain scene brought back some memories. I really like the film but the ending caught me off guard. I get why they went that route but I would have liked to see something else hashed out The performances were great & the score was intense!! Big studios don't make films like this, hence the success of Sound of Freedom ( Not saying RUB is that ) But we need new storytellers in film and I was happy to watch this after a friend told me about seeing it last week. Bravo. I enjoyed it.