Watch Galveston
- NR
- 2018
- 1 hr 34 min
-
6.2 (15,150)
Galveston is a gripping crime drama that was released in 2018. Directed by Mélanie Laurent and based on the novel by Nic Pizzolatto, the movie follows the story of Roy Cady (played by Ben Foster), a New Orleans hitman who is diagnosed with lung cancer at the young age of 40. The movie starts by introducing us to Roy, a tough and no-nonsense hitman who works for Stan (played by Beau Bridges), a powerful businessman involved in the drug trade. However, during a routine job, Roy discovers that Stan has set him up to get whacked by another gang. Forced to flee for his life, Roy takes Rocky (played by Elle Fanning), a young prostitute who also works for Stan, as a hostage and together they embark on a run-for-their-lives road trip. As they make their way towards Galveston, an island town on the Texas coast, Roy and Rocky begin to trust each other and form a fragile bond. However, Roy's illness starts to catch up with him and as the duo arrives at a hotel in Galveston, Roy discovers that his chances of survival are slim. As he prepares to face his own mortality, Roy tries to make amends for his past mistakes and protect Rocky from the danger that is closing in on them. Galveston is a beautifully shot movie that captures the bleak and moody atmosphere of the American South with great skill. The cinematography by Arnaud Potier is stunning and the use of light and shadow creates a haunting visual atmosphere that perfectly matches the tone of the story. The performances of the lead actors are another strong point of the movie. Ben Foster is excellent as the brooding and intense Roy, conveying a sense of doomed fatalism that makes his character all the more tragic. Meanwhile, Elle Fanning is impressive as Rocky, bringing a sense of vulnerability and self-destruction to her character that is both heartbreaking and mesmerizing. The supporting cast is also very solid, with Jeffrey Grover and Christopher Amitrano giving memorable performances as two of Stan's henchmen who are on Roy's trail. Beau Bridges, who has a small but pivotal role as Stan, manages to imbue his character with a sense of quiet menace that underscores the danger that Roy and Rocky face. One of the most interesting aspects of Galveston is the way it explores the theme of redemption. As Roy faces his own mortality, he begins to question his actions and tries to make amends for the pain and suffering he has caused. However, the past has a way of catching up with him and the movie never shies away from the brutal realities of a life of violence. Overall, Galveston is a powerful and gripping movie that manages to elevate the crime drama genre with its strong performances, beautiful cinematography and deft exploration of complex themes. It is a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll and is definitely worth a watch for fans of gritty, character-driven dramas.