Watch King of Knives
- NR
- 2020
- 1 hr 35 min
-
4.9 (136)
King of Knives is a drama film released in 2020, directed by Jon Delgado and produced by Germar Derron. The film features an ensemble cast, including Gene Pope, Mel Harris, and Roxi Pope, in the lead roles. The movie explores the relationships between a family, and how they deal with the challenges that life throws at them. It is an emotional and realistic portrayal of a typical family's struggles, with excellent performances from the cast.
The story revolves around the father, Frank (Gene Pope), who has lost his job and is going through a midlife crisis, making him distant from his family. His wife, Theresa (Mel Harris), is a supportive and understanding partner, but their relationship is strained as Frank withdraws from their family's daily responsibilities. Meanwhile, their daughter, Lila (Roxi Pope), is struggling to fit in with her peers at school, and is also dealing with the fallout of her parents' relationship issues, making her feel alone and misunderstood.
Throughout the movie, the family's relationships are put to the test as the members navigate their own challenges. Frank, in particular, tries to regain his sense of purpose and identity as a man and a father. He tries to reconnect with his family by teaching his daughter how to drive and taking his wife on a date. However, despite his best efforts, his stubbornness and lack of communication skills cause further rifts in his relationships. This leads to tension and conflict within the family, further distancing himself from the people he loves.
The film's strong suit is its honest portrayal of the issues this family faces, and how they relate to each other. The movie does not shy away from the gritty parts of life, as the characters face financial difficulties, marital tensions, and personal struggles. However, despite its weighty themes, the film is also peppered with light-hearted comedic moments, balancing the drama and making it a relatable watch.
The film's production quality is excellent, with beautiful cinematography capturing the essence of the setting - which is an affluent suburban area in the US. The film's editing flows smoothly between the different characters, interspersed with poignant scenes of the father's alter ego, the king of knives. This reflective motif effectively uses the analogy of a sharp blade that causes both healing and harm - reminding the audience that the characters are equally capable of both in their actions.
Finally, the performances of the cast truly shine, bringing to life the complex emotions of a family in crisis. Gene Pope delivers an outstanding performance as Frank, conveying the character's internal struggles convincingly, and Mel Harris is equally compelling as Theresa, presenting a strong-willed character trying to hold the family together. Similarly, Roxi Pope, as Lila, portrays the complexity of a young girl trying to make sense of the world and her place in it.
Overall, King of Knives is a gripping, realistic portrayal of a family in crisis, dealing with real-life challenges that many households face. The film's storytelling, camerawork, soundtrack, and acting are all top-notch, making it an impressive production, and an emotional journey for the audience. It's a perfect example of how a simple storyline, enriched with powerful and relatable performances, can create an everlasting impact on the viewers.
King of Knives is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.