Opportunity

Opportunity is writer-director Rusty Rehl’s feature-length debut after only one previous short. The film follows Patrick (Jon Waters; no, not that one), who lives out of his van after moving back to his hometown. Patrick’s best friend, Donnie (Quinn Aikele), is really the only person who is supportive of what he wants. And just what is that? Patrick would like to own a house despite not currently holding down a steady job. However, Donnie’s other half, Julia (Amanda Coryat), is not a fan of the wayward former corporate stooge.

However, Donnie brings an opportunity to Patrick that seems too good to be true. Entrepreneur Jared (Aaron Henretty) needs a particular item back that was stolen from his former business partner. Jared offers Patrick a too-good-to-be-real deal on a three-bedroom house if he agrees to accomplish this task. After gathering some basic intel, the duo successfully breaks into the former business partner’s place and successfully retrieves the item. Unfortunately, getting out unharmed is a much trickier prospect, largely because of the Mormon gangsters who seem to be everywhere.

“…the duo successfully breaks into the former business partner’s place…getting out unharmed is a much trickier prospect…”

While Opportunity has its fair share of action beats, it is primarily a comedy. As such, the lighting is very bright, creating a light, frothy affair. This does undercut the more menacing moments as the lighting does not help create a tense atmosphere. The direction also does not enter the thriller/action realm. The scene where Donnie hits the business partner over the head with a six-pack of beer does not feel dangerous, in part because it is filmed in medium shot, meaning the action isn’t that close to the camera.

However, the film is very funny. Waters and Aikele are hilarious together and play off each other excellently. Patrick breaking down point by point why Julia is using Donnie is very funny. Julia and Patrick’s brief exchange in a car when Donnie isn’t there is filled with disdain, making it most humorous. But the showstopper is any sequence involving Tony (Mason Mack), the IT guy. His deadpan obliviousness is guaranteed to throw all watching into the deepest throes of laughter.

Opportunity is a well-acted and silly comedy. The screenplay is full of goofy scenarios, and the cast goes all in on the humor. But the more action-oriented beats are only so-so, which does undercut the danger the leads are in. Still, this is a good time and is very funny.

For more information, visit the official Opportunity site.