Low and Behold Movie Review

Zach Godshall's film Low and Behold illustrates the devastations, tragedies, and human costs of Hurricane Katrina. The film focuses on the struggle between and injustices dealt out by both greedy insurance companies profiting from the hardship of others and emergency claimants trying to defraud the system; drawing a bleak conclusion that the people who really need help aren't getting the compensation that they deserve.

The film follows new-found Insurance claims adjuster Turner Stull, an uninspired young man searching for his calling in life, as he arrives in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. Upon arrival, Turner is greeted by his Uncle Stully, the foreman of an ambitious group of seasoned adjusters, who quickly immerse Turner into the routine. However the "move fast, don't get emotionally involved, and make a lot of money" mantra becomes difficult for Turner to grasp; and being not entirely prepared to deal with people who have lost everything to the storm, he becomes totally overwhelmed. As Turner delves further into the new profession his inexperience, doubt, and lack of compassion only makes things worse. One day when he finds himself in a tight spot, Turner agrees to help Nixon, a local man, find his lost dog in exchange for a helping hand with his insurance claims. As the odd pair navigate the storm-ravaged city they set out on a journey that will change both of their lives forever.

At first glance Low and Behold seems to have all the aspects of a first-rate film with an ambitious topic that lends itself to limitless potential and a wide-scale target audience. However, the film falls flat; failing to maintain interest and reeking of inferior filmmaking.

The on screen follies begin with a weak screenplay that lacks definitive act shifts and loses steam as it rambles through the second act. The writing also fails to adequately develop characters; particularly Turner, the protagonist, who lacks motivation and remains unchanged through the film, revealing a blatant deficit in the area of character arc. The absence of an antagonist, other than the cop-out of Hurricane Katrina itself, plagues the screenplay; lessening the conflict and bringing the film to a flat-line at times. Combine the lack-luster writing with mediocre directing and terrible acting from the films front runners and you have a grade-A flop of a film.

The only saving grace of this film was the production value. Modern style cinematography rife with raw, shaky, quick-zoom hand-held shots gives the flick a Documentary feel and enhances the tension that punctuates the austere backdrop. Despite a feeble, low quality soundtrack the Editing manages to move the piece along.In the end Low and Behold turns out to be a disappointing adventure that inefficiently illustrates the financial injustices, tragedies, and human costs of the Hurricane that leveled the once blooming city of New Orleans.