Love & Other Crimes

Directed by Clarito Zapanta, Love & Other Crimes follows a tense and emotional story that begins with a young couple held captive in what appears to be a violent home invasion. Through flashbacks, the film reveals our hero, Noah (Justin P. Slaughter), a quiet man who first connected with Shaye (Jaelyn Sierra) at his local diner. The pancakes weren’t great, but the spark between them was real. After a few days, Shaye asks why he keeps coming back, and Noah admits it is because of her. She then gives him her phone number.

The film then introduces Parker (Jon Meggison) and Jason (Jordan Nancarrow), both former high school acquaintances of Noah. Parker was never quite a friend, while Jason, who has become a hardened drug dealer, represents the dangerous world Noah was drawn into. Torn between two lives, one steeped in crime and the other rooted in the love of Shea, Noah finds his situation building to a breaking point that culminates in a fateful ride-along.

“Torn between two lives, one steeped in crime and the other rooted in the love of Shea…”

Based on Brandon Newman’s script, Love & Other Crimes tells two parallel stories. Zapanta is great at telling an authentic love story between Noah and Shea, while also showing the danger that threatens their chance at a ‘happily ever after.’ It’s a nice, tight story that makes you want to root for our young lovers. At the same time, Zapanta masterfully tells the story of a drug deal gone wrong with lots of action and gunplay. It’s all done on a modest budget that still looks television-worthy. Both cast and crew do exactly what needs to be done to tell an engaging story.

Love & Other Crimes shows how moments of crisis ultimately define who we are. By weaving love and violence together, the film leaves us with a haunting reminder of how thin the line can be between redemption and ruin.

For more information about Love & Other Crimes, visit the IAJ Media website.