FBI bookkeeper Simon Welch (Chris Huse) is on his first assignment at an isolated motel just outside Memphis. Tasked with carrying out surveillance on a notorious thief and his moll, Samantha (Sharina Martin), Welch can't help but violate one of the key ethics of his profession by listening in to Samantha's private conversations, conversations that reveal her role in a heist while also serving to humanize the young woman. When the two unexpectedly encounter one another, all professional boundaries go to hell and the two begin a torrid affair.

Of course, when dealing with certain types one can never be completely sure who can be trusted. Eventually, Samantha convinces Simon to kill her partner in crime. But then, Simon must ask himself "What if I'm next?"

A well made and entertaining 73-minute feature heist thriller with a strong retro vibe, Nowheresville works primarily because of writer/director Jonathan Talbert's intelligent and thought-provoking script along with a pair of solid performances from co-leads Chris Huse and Sharina Martin.

Nowheresville never completely reveals itself, an absolute necessity in order for the film to maintain its suspense throughout its entire running time. Is Samantha actually in love with Simon? Is she simply using him? Are there other factors at play? Is everything really just about the money? You'll find yourself guessing along the way but, simultaneously, staying involved in the characters and the story.

One of many smart choices that Talbert makes along the way is for the film to essentially be confined to the actual motel involved in the story, a decision that allows him to maximize his indie budget while also allowing for a serious build-up of tension along the way. Nowheresville is a terrific example of a solid indie flick that transcends its modest budget by focusing on a compelling story, good acting and technical achievements that are competent but not showy. D.P. John Klein's camera work definitely catches the retro vibe along with the grittiness of the story, while the film's sound, editing and lighting almost never distract despite the obvious challenges of creating a well made film on a modest budget.

Filmed in West Chicago, Illinois using a Panasonic AG-HVX200, Nowheresville is now available for instant viewing via Itunes, Youtube Movies, Amazon Instant and Best Buy CinemaNow. That means you could click that little Amazon banner to the right of this review and head on over right now to watch the film.

So, what are you waiting for?

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic