Very Big Shot (2015)
Stars: Alain Saadeh, Fouad Yammine, Wissam Fares
Runtime: 107 minutes
Synopsis: Intending to smuggle drugs across the borders, a small-time Lebanese drug-dealer slyly manipulates public opinion with the help of an underrated filmmaker.
Performances: 5/10
Screenplay: 6/10
Costumes/Makeup: 8/10
Editing: 6/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Verdict: "Very Big Shot", or "Film Ktir Kbir", is a Lebanese crime drama I wasn't able to catch in theaters back in 2015 and couldn't find anywhere since for some reason, Blurays and DVDs are not sold in any stores. Anyway, now that it's available to stream on Netlfix in the MENA region, I had no reason not to finally watch it anymore.
The list of Lebanese productions I'd recommend is a short one, but Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya's directorial debut is now featured in it. It's obviously no masterpiece or anything near that, but for a movie of a that scale and with such a small budget, it absolutely delivers. The film's premise has shades of "Argo" all over it with the main difference being that the film industry is not used to rescue hostages, but to smuggle drugs across borders. I can easily say that the strongest element of the movie, which was Lebanon's submission for the Academy Awards that year, is its story. Despite suffering from a few inconsistencies when it comes to structure, character decisions, or underdeveloped subplots, I was hooked from beginning to end. The acting, although a little rough around the edges at times, was overall not bad at all, especially when it comes to Alain Saadeh's portrayal of the main character of Ziad, smartly used as a commentary on toxic masculinity.
"Very Big Shot" didn't blow me away or anything, but it's probably the most fun Lebanese movie I've ever seen. The passion behind it is admirable and the end result worthy of at least a shot (no pun intended), even if it definitely has some room for improvement.
The list of Lebanese productions I'd recommend is a short one, but Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya's directorial debut is now featured in it. It's obviously no masterpiece or anything near that, but for a movie of a that scale and with such a small budget, it absolutely delivers. The film's premise has shades of "Argo" all over it with the main difference being that the film industry is not used to rescue hostages, but to smuggle drugs across borders. I can easily say that the strongest element of the movie, which was Lebanon's submission for the Academy Awards that year, is its story. Despite suffering from a few inconsistencies when it comes to structure, character decisions, or underdeveloped subplots, I was hooked from beginning to end. The acting, although a little rough around the edges at times, was overall not bad at all, especially when it comes to Alain Saadeh's portrayal of the main character of Ziad, smartly used as a commentary on toxic masculinity.
"Very Big Shot" didn't blow me away or anything, but it's probably the most fun Lebanese movie I've ever seen. The passion behind it is admirable and the end result worthy of at least a shot (no pun intended), even if it definitely has some room for improvement.
FINAL GRADE: 6/10
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