Prolonged Exposure Image

Prolonged Exposure

By Dylan Andresen | December 2, 2019

Prolonged Exposure is the story of stoic psychologist Murdoch Lane (Addison Foskeyslowly) and hot-headed Detective Jaime Montenegro (Dean Cain). The former of which pieces together the cause of a bombing through the accounts of his clients by utilizing the prolonged exposure therapy technique. While the latter frustratingly attempts to solve the crime with limited resources, while being stonewalled by Lane and his obligation to uphold doctor-patient confidentiality. Although a tantalizing premise, there are a few hiccups in the execution.

“…he suffered some traumatic sexual assault at the hands of a woman and that this incident was a driving force in the deterioration of his marriage…”

A great deal of the dialogue does not flow organically. The conversations hold the cadence of a script being read, not a real conversation two people would have. Dean Cain delivers the best performance throughout, in spite of the evident script issues. Though many of the cast members do remarkably well in spite of their conjunctive dialogue. Michelle Roe, as the sultry yet traumatized and secretive prostitute, deserves one such shout out for her performance. The script definitely could have used another draft or two. 

The scene transitions vary wildly throughout the film with little regard for the associated tone. While it starts slow, the movie frequently becomes jarring to behold. A few such cuts occur before a line is finished being spoken and then leaps forward in time by a fact of hours or days within the narrative. I thought I had accidentally skipped forward on several occasions.

Prolonged Exposure (2019)

Directed and Written: Travis Thoms

Starring: Dean Cain, Addison Foskey, Michelle Roe, Ciro Vela, Martin Palmer, Janelle Baptiste, etc.

Movie score: 3/10

Prolonged Exposure Image

"…Dean Cain delivers the best performance throughout..."

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  1. CW says:

    Something very strange about that movie ; the woman who plays the prostitute named Daisy Mendez who then says her real name is Rose, her actress name is Michelle Volpe Roe.

    you can search all day on google you will never find anything about her, not a photo nothing…it is like she never existed…I wonder why

  2. Travis Thoms says:

    Thanks for reviewing the film! I’m sorry that you didn’t care for it. I’d argue that the main character’s personal trauma is quite evident in his behaviors, and is important to the character arc, but to each his own.
    I’d like to make sure that your readers understand that this is not an action film. It is a stylized mystery, and a psychologically based thriller. It touches on aspects of trauma and how it affects people differently, and it may not be for everybody. Your readers can find out more at Prolonged-Exposure.com
    Thanks again for your time.

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