The story of two people's attempts to navigate a turbulent relationship, parenthood, and a life of crime.
Cameron Monaghan's directorial debut - which you can watch below - proves to be a tense and dynamic affair as two lovers find themselves tangled up in a robbery gone wrong. Flashing between key moments in Bonnie (Kelli Berglund) & Clyde (Monaghan)'s relationship and the present day, Foxbody opens on a moustachioed and bleeding Clyde as he heads to his family's desert home in their foxbody Mustang. Where, quite understandably, his wife is none too happy to see him.
There are some familiar story beats to this little crime story, but that doesn't stop Monaghan - who also wrote and produced the film - from doing his own thing with them. In many ways the film resembles classic crime dramas of the 1970's and 80's, while the desert setting gives it a western vibe. And yet, Foxbody still has a few surprises in store for us. Namely, a vibrant dance number that appears to represent the ups and downs of the lead couple's chaotic relationship.
Bonnie & Clyde - yes those names are a little on the nose - are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. But the pair aren't given long to contemplate their life together, as Clyde's mildly annoyed criminal cohorts are hot on his trail. The details Monaghan leaves to our imagination - he has shown us enough along the way to get the general idea - but their arrival at the house immediately turns into a standoff. And thanks to some up close and personal cinematography, it quickly becomes clear how dire the situation is for this young family.
Unsurprisingly, it all quickly boils over into a deadly confrontation. Again, it’s not exactly something we haven’t seen before, but the way Monaghan executes and captures this violent outburst makes for intense viewing. Moreover, the young filmmaker has chosen a more realistic approach in depicting his grand finale. There’s no hyper-stylised moves or fancy camera work. No death or glory. It is brutal and it is ugly. More importantly, and as is often the case in situations like this, it is over almost as fast as it starts.
The thing is, no matter how intense the standoff may get, nothing can match the intensity of the central relationship. Whether they be fighting, loving, or even dancing, Berglund and Monaghan bring a fire to this tale of crime and passion. Only not in a cheesy romance kind of a way. They look like a real couple, and the connection that they bring to the screen is what makes Foxbody such a rollercoaster ride.
Cameron Monaghan’s directorial debut is nothing short of a triumph. A gripping thriller featuring tense action, and even more intense performances. Moreover, it is a signal to Hollywood; this young filmmaker is ready for more.
8/10
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