Watch The Local

The Local is a 2008 independent crime thriller film directed by Dan Eberle, who also stars in the film. The plot revolves around the character of Guy Bishop (played by Eberle), a drifter who arrives in a small town in upstate New York and finds himself drawn into a world of crime, violence and corruption. The film opens with a series of shots setting the mood and tone of the movie - bleak and desolate landscapes, empty streets, and ominous music. We see Guy Bishop walking alone along a road, carrying a backpack on his back, and looking like he doesn't have a clear destination in mind. Bishop is a quiet, reflective character who doesn't say much, and we are left to decipher his motivations and thoughts as we watch him navigate through his surroundings.

Bishop soon finds himself in a local bar, where he meets a waitress named Mary (Maya Ferrara) who takes an immediate liking to him. Mary introduces Bishop to some of the locals, including the town's corrupt sheriff (Karl Herlinger) and a small-time drug dealer named Marley (Paul James Vasquez).

As Bishop becomes more involved with the locals, he discovers that there is a lot of illicit activity going on beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic small town. He becomes embroiled in a turf war between Marley and another drug dealer, and finds himself in the middle of a violent conflict. Meanwhile, the sheriff is also involved in some shady dealings that Bishop becomes aware of, and it becomes clear that Bishop must tread carefully if he wants to survive.

One of the strengths of The Local is its atmosphere - the film is shot in a very gritty, realistic style that gives the impression of being "in the moment". There are no flashy special effects or exaggerated action sequences - the film feels like a very grounded, character-driven drama. The dialogue is sparse but effective, and the performances from the cast are uniformly excellent. Eberle's portrayal of Bishop is nuanced and understated, and he provides a strong central anchor for the film.

At the heart of the film is the question of morality - what does it mean to be a good person in a world that is so often cruel and unjust? Bishop is not a hero in the traditional sense - he is not driven by a desire to do the right thing or to protect the innocent. Rather, he seems to be searching for meaning in his life, and is drawn to the criminal underworld as a way to fill the void.

Throughout the film, we see Bishop struggling with his own sense of right and wrong, and trying to navigate through the murky waters of the criminal underworld. He is a complex and intriguing character, and the film does an excellent job of exploring his motivations and thought processes.

Overall, The Local is a strong piece of independent cinema, with excellent performances, a gritty atmosphere, and a thought-provoking script. It is not a film for everyone - it is slow-paced and contemplative, and does not have the high-energy thrills of a typical Hollywood thriller. However, for those who appreciate a well-crafted character study and a nuanced exploration of morality, The Local is well worth watching.

The Local is a 2008 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.