Carl (Jenson Atwood) is a journalist looking for some answers when he finally finds Vernon (Ernest Harden Jr.). Interested in finding out more about Vernon’s life, Carl starts to ask Vernon a lot of questions, but it soon turns out that Carl has an ulterior motive.

That’s because Vernon knew Carl as he was growing up and subjected him to all kinds of abuse. Now Carl wants to know to why he was treated that way to try and come to terms with living with himself.

Velvet Jesus is a drama directed by Anthony Bawn and Spencer Collins and written by Charles McWells. The story of a man looking for retribution against a man who made his life a living hell is played out with every detail explored in deep and often disturbing ways.

Played out as a two hander with Atwood and Harden Jr. for most of the run of the movie in a single location, it makes Velvet Jesus feel more theatrical. Besides some great cinematography, this may make some audience members wish for something a bit more cinematic whereas it could draw others in.

There’s also a somewhat relatable story to Carl’s treatment of Vernon and although we may have all had somebody in our childhood that we’d like to confront, it feels like Carl’s actions go to the extreme. A kind of behaviour which most people wouldn’t ever carry out, but it helps the audience to wonder whether Carl’s recollections are real.

Both actors play their parts very well and it certainly speaks to Harden Jr.’s experiences as an actor that he would take on such a difficult role. However, Velvet Jesus seems like a play put together to showcase the actor’s ranges with something so hard hitting with very little light.

Although a valiant effort in order to deal with many different kinds of abuse, it may leave the audience feeling drained by the end. There are many people all over the world who have had experiences like Carl’s, but it feels like portraying it this way only serves to help the filmmakers and doesn’t feel genuine enough.

---

We hope you're enjoying BRWC. You should check us out on our social channels, subscribe to our newsletter, and tell your friends. BRWC is short for battleroyalewithcheese.

---

Trending on BRWC:

---

Cool Posts From Around the Web:

---

---