Today’s quick review: Vincent N Roxxy. After her brother is murdered for owing money to the wrong people, Roxxy (Zoe Kravitz) goes to live with Vincent (Emile Hirsch), a helpful stranger, and his brother JC (Emory Cohen) on their farm in the country. There she lays low for a while, picks up a job, and gradually falls in love with Vincent. But although the farm is a peaceful place to stay, it can’t protect her from the danger she’s running from.
Vincent N Roxxy is a violent crime drama about a young woman on the run from her brother’s killers and the young man who takes her in. Vincent N Roxxy follows the titular couple as they learn to trust one another, get back on their feet, and deal with the repercussions of their past decisions. The movie features decent character work and a slow-boil mystery. However, its plodding pace and inconsistent tone keep it from being a satisfying pick.
Vincent N Roxxy never quite makes up its mind about what kind of movie it wants to be. The setup would fit right in with a crime thriller: two strangers fleeing from danger with only each other as company. Instead, the movie opts for a slower-paced story that drifts into romance as Roxxy settles into the quiet life on Vincent’s farm. But after a lengthy interlude, the movie shifts directions yet again, abruptly returning to its promised violence.
The result is an oddly paced movie that has a hard time keeping the audience engaged. The initial setup, the romance between Vincent and Roxxy, and the burst of violence near the end all have their place in a well-told crime story. But Vincent N Roxxy does a poor job of balancing between them, resulting in an introduction that doesn’t have enough detail to hook the audience, a slow and directionless middle, and a finale that comes out of nowhere.
Vincent N Roxxy has enough basic craftsmanship that fans of the crime genre may get something out of it. The relationship between Vincent and Roxxy and some suitably shocking violence could be appealing to the right viewer. But Vincent N Roxxy gets the proportions wrong, making it a movie that’s slow to get going and not very rewarding to follow to the end. Most viewers would be better off with another crime drama.
For a tighter execution of a similar premise, try Blood Father. For a taut crime thriller with some of the same elements, try Blood Simple. For a crime comedy with a similar plot and a lighter tone, try Hit and Run.
5.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a decent setup with lackluster execution.