Keep Your Distance (2005)

'Keep Your Distance' a stellar, sexy thriller

Stu Pollard's second major release is an intricate and beautifully filmed psychological thriller. The film opens with a stunning visual presentation of the story's setting, Louisville, Ky., that makes the town look like a postcard. The bold colors of the setting match those of Pollard's characters in "Keep Your Distance," which pay proper homage to the clannish and quirky nature of the people of in a modern town struggling to retain its Southern charm.

The pacing in the script was perfect...the story weaves wry humor, honest cynicism, and a disturbingly real underlying pathology and pathos, all necessary to pull off a complex psychological thriller. The emphasis is on psychology more than murder mystery, which makes the plot more interesting than that of the typical movie formula. The long pauses and intense looks that Pollard and his actors wove into the script give the audience doses of suspense, sadness, and humor in equal measure.

Particularly engrossing is the relationship between Melody and David, played by Jennifer Westfeldt and Gil Bellows. Their initial meeting is painfully awkward, but their connection is obvious from the start. Physical chemistry is there, but moreover, the characters have a bittersweet longing toward each other, and the world views they share have just enough cynicism to make their exchange edgy, and just enough idealism to make it romantic. Christian Kane is a standout as a wonderfully creepy and unpredictable jilted boyfriend. Kim Raver is notably strong as David's sexy, blatantly narcissistic wife.

The end of the movie is simple and satisfying. However, this film is more about the journey than the destination. Pollard has crafted a gripping story that relies on the fascinating trappings of human folly, whether based in conspiracy or naivete, to keeo the audience hooked. June 9, 2006

I love Louisville!

First, let me thank Stu Pollard for making quality movies about Louisville, Kentucky. It's a great city that's underrepresented in the movies. It's got the beauty, history, class, and sophisication of the big cities, and no reason it can't get it's moment to shine.

"Keep Your Distance" follows the psychological torment of a beloved radio personality, David Dalley, played by Gil Bellows. "Mr. Louisville" has it all: great job, money, prestige, fame, and a hot wife (played by Kim Raver.) But mysterious letters arrive, and the cracks in the foundation grow. He catches his wife in bed with someone else (and it's not a guy.) He gets busted for DUI. And his assistant is after his job.

When a mysterious saleswoman arrives, David makes a relationship with her because he feels she can't betray him. But unknown to them, others are watching.

While it doesn't rise to Hitchcock levels of suspense, it's still a wild ride, and you feel for David as he plunges into madness. May 16, 2006

A very interesting film!

im not quite as articulate as some of the other reviewers here so ill just get right to the crux of the matter. This film is really good! Lots of twists and turns, you really dont know whats up till the very end. I liked this flick so much I bought the DVD. May 8, 2006

Second TIme's the Best

Being a native Louisvillian, I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it. It also helped that my best friend was a P.A. on the set the summer it was shot (summer of '03). After seeing it with him on opening weekend, I said my only complaint was that it moved way too fast in the beginning... Here's David Daily, and BAM! he starts to be stalked. My friend told me that after the opening at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, he and Stu (Pollard) got to talking about deleted footage. Stu told him that they had to cut about a half hour from the film, and most of that ended up being character development and story building from the first part of the movie.
So, in short, if you didn't particularly like it the first time, watch it again. The second time, when you understand why the characters are interacting the way they do, and you understand their motives, it is much easier to enjoy the story.
Again, I loved this movie and highly recommend it, but then again, I am partial (it makes me homesick every time I see it). May 2, 2006

Not to be missed!

I was incredibly lucky to be able to buy this film off Amazon as an Australian citizen I was not able to see it otherwise. And it was worth every cent I paid. With a compelling storyline and stylish cinematography on all levels `Keep Your Distance' is a film that will please any movie lover. As a film and television student I found this film to be a real inspiration! Not only is it an extremely well and skilfully written script but all characters have interesting and multi-layered personalities that keep the viewer enthralled in the somewhat twisted plot. Perfectly cast, this films supporting actors Christian Kane and Jamie Harrold in particular are not to be overlooked! They give not only give gripping and real performances but also bring a little extra to the film. Both are given for the first time roles which reveal the potential as actors. Director Stu pollard has managed to acquire the best of all actors' skills and has made every frame of this film a jewel. This film will keep you guessing right up to the end. Not to be missed! April 13, 2006

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