Jacob and Levi (Harley Wallen, who just so happened to direct this picture… and Michael Emery, Room 9); two cops doing cop things are charged with delivering a dude by the handle of Rodney (Jasper Cole, Fall) back to Ye Old Home for Recovering Addicts.
You see, ol’ Rod has himself a crippling narcotics addiction that’s left him a shell of a man… and no stranger to the house’s rehabilitation program… which admittedly hasn’t worked wonders for R-dawg, despite being a regular patient.
The lady what runs the joint, Nanny Lou (Charlene Tilton, of ‘80s prime-time soap, Dallas), tries to keep the patients under her watchful eye on the straight n’ narrow, and to that end she employs a resident physician, Dr. Sam Potter (Richard Tyson, Kindergarten Cop, Three o’ Clock High)… but good intentions only go so far, and as patients begin turning up missing it becomes obvious that Nanny Lou’s extreme methods may make it impossible for Rodney to continue his journey of sobriety… and to continue breathing…
Coming from director Wallen (The Devil’s Left Hand) and screenwriters Jerry Lee Davis and Nick Theurer, Final Recovery is a slow burn journey into the depths of the perceived hopelessness of addiction, but fret not fright fans, things get downright horrific during the third act!
Carrying us through the narrative are a host of great performances, with Tilton absolutely owning the role of Nanny Lou, a woman who’s troubled past informs her absolutely off-kilter methods, and Cole makes for a protagonist that’s layered and sympathetic.
Also of note are the fittingly dark cinematography from Nolan Rhys Elias and score courtesy of composer Jarryd Elias that both help the atmosphere and vibe of the picture succeed.
Rich with characterization, a deliberately paced narrative that culminates in a gloriously gory finale, and strong acting throughout, Harley Wallen’s Final Recovery provides both madness and message to satisfying effect!
