First Round Down

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. This is true for hometown hero, Tim Tucker (Dylan Bruce), who led his high school hockey team to the championships, only to be injured for good in the final game. When your future is hitched to that one big dream, you’re done. It’s all over…NO! There’s a big world of opportunity out there. Wallowing in his own self-pity, Tim is today, a failed mob assassin, who is now employed as a pizza delivery guy.

From the Butler Brothers, First Round Down follows the hapless life of Tim Tucker, who lives with this very young brother Matthew (Percy Hynes White), hangs with his goofy best friend Bobby (Rob Ramsey), and pines after his ex-girlfriend Kelly (Rachel Wilson) after they reconnect when she “unknowingly” orders a pizza from him.

“…still living under the shadow of his former glory as the hero is recognized with every pizza he delivers…”

A lot is going on plotwise in First Round Down, and it’s up to Tim to somehow sort his life together before he goes insane or gets killed. First, internally, Tim is still living under the shadow of his former glory as the hero is recognized with every pizza he delivers. Second is a delivery gone wrong when Tim beats down the hit crew of his former mob boss during a pizza delivery. Now Tim has a debt to repay. Then there’s his ex-girlfriend who may still have feelings for him/about to get married to another man/reconnected intentionally for the wrong reason. Tim also has a softer side thanks to his brother Matt, who acts as his teen accountant and only living family.

While the film has a lot going on, there’s also a lot to like about it. As convoluted as the twisting plotlines are, it’s easy to follow, and the action pushes us through the film from start to finish. Each scene has a purpose, whether it’s action, family, intrigue, or romance. As Tucker himself, Dylan Bruce admirably carries the film and elevates the performances of his supporting cast. It all serves as a testament to the Butler brother’s ability to write an action story.