Local businessman James Cross (Timothy J. Cox) is on the road to becoming the mayor, but he needs a little bit of help. Derek Price (David P.B. Stephens) will do anything for the right price, and right now Cross wants him to clear the way to his spot in office. Derek and his son Damon (Oise Ohiwerei) don’t have the strongest relationship–but when Derek invites him to be part of his work, things change. There are Solutions to every problem, and now Damon and Derek get to work together to solve what currently lies ahead of them.
Derek Price is a character that many would consider to be undesirable. He is sneaky, and his job makes him appear cynical and downright unpleasant. However, Solutions sees a narrative that depicts a relationship between a father and son, and somehow Writers Zachary Halfter and Stephen Pavlics create a dynamic that clings to the emotions of viewers. Viewers are constantly aware of the fact that Derek isn’t a great person, but they are able to overlook the character’s shortcomings and focus on the simplicity and the honesty present in this father-son relationship. There’s a genuine understanding of human emotion and real-world relationships present in the narrative–and that leads to the film being successful.
Much of the reason that Derek is successful as a character is the writing. Halfter and Pavlics create this multidimensional character that is both snide and likable, but what they’ve created is only words on a page, and it comes down to whether or not Stephens is able to take those words and make them real. He is the key element in Solutions, not just because he’s the main character, but because he’s able to exude a wide-range of emotions. He is able to express deception through his facial expressions, and yet his tone of voice allows him to come across as typical. He reminds me of a Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) type character (from the hit television show The Blacklist). It’s quickly established that he is the “bad guy,” but he’s incredibly likable, down to earn, and easy to understand. Between the writing and Stephens’ ability to convey these sentiments, Solutions is incredibly entertaining.
As Solutions comes to a close, there is a twist. It’s not a completely unexpected twist, but what it does is intensify the film and help to strengthen both Derek and Damon. While viewers were already aware of how headstrong and powerful Derek is, Damon was a different story. He’s the character that viewers see grow throughout, and by the film’s conclusion, viewers know exactly what he is. To say what he is would spoil the film, but he’s taken in a unique, but entertaining direction from the moment he appears on screen.
Solutions feels somewhat like a character study, and viewers see a number of dynamic characters fill the screen from beginning to end. Viewers get to see these characters develop, and they are pulled in a number of different directions throughout. The most important piece of this entire film is the writing of Halfter and Pavlics. They create an interesting story, relatable characters, and a family dynamic with which just about everyone can identify. Solutions plays out fluidly, never missing a beat, never failing to explain itself–and Halfter and Pavlics are the heart and soul of this entire ordeal.
Directed by Zachary Halfter.
Written by Zachary Halfter & Stephen Pavlics.
Starring David P.B. Stephens, Oise Ohiwerei, Timothy J. Cox, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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