BeSummers
Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.
Gurlyndrobb
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Suman Roberson
It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.
leif-weston-andersen
All stories, ultimately, are love stories. The vehicle used to tell this one is a catastrophic gas crisis that catches two lovers unaware as they exit the woods following a week-long camping trip in the throws of their own inter-emotional crisis. Empty overtly focuses its energy on the latter, personal crisis, and the title aptly reflects a romance at its terminal point. As an emotional race through the chaotic and damaging emotions attending the dissolution of a deeply felt relationship, the film works, and at times it works very well. I watched it through to its rather abrupt ending, and that says something. For a feature film made on 10 grand, this actually says a whole lot.However, great as the premise may be, and as sound as the fractured romance plays, this film's overall execution is touch and go.The gas crisis as plot vehicle is something of a jalopy riddled with holes (see others' reviews on this). Still, if one backs away from its rusty details, the conundrum does actually run and functions perfectly well as a foil for the drama to unfold.The script is hot and cold - on again, off again - yet it was on just enough to keep me engaged in the unfolding drama between Piper and Dell.Likewise for the acting. Williams' portrayal as Piper was strong and convincing. Carlo as Dell was less so, but I felt this had more to do with weaker scripting for his character. I actually found the leads' chemistry to be quite endearing. And McBrien did a great job as the spooked, neurotic hotelier.The essentials of the direction were solid, and I appreciated the choice of camera angles used throughout. Highlights take place in the hotel, and shots of Piper were always at their best. Yes, the fight scene was a little underwhelming, and there were a few further minor downers. However, Fangoria reports this film was made in just 10 days in the dead of winter, and when I consider this, I give it plenty of props.Editing: given the extreme constraints the editor had to work with, I'd say he did an admirable job. Overall production values were low, but this doesn't necessarily hurt the film. I loved the folksy guitar track; it provided an air of humility and compassion throughout, two qualities the story required to move forward.Could a better feature film have been made using this premise of gas crisis, but with only 10 days, and $10,000? Maybe. But I haven't seen it, and in the meantime, this film had the courage to try. The result is ultimately watchable and often satisfying. I'm impressed and immensely encouraged to know that this kind of project found wings.
davidfurlotte
Okay, I love the premise. America (probably all of America, North and South) runs out of gas and people will be all over the place WHEN it happens.BUT, that is NOT the REAL premise of the movie, the REAL premise is that a guy and his girlfriend are having relationship issues that mostly revolve around the fact the girl's father does NOT like the boyfriend.As almost EVERYBODY here said, can the two of them not have a conversation that does NOT end in an argument? I'm sorry but the premise breaks down when the two of them don't bother to buy into it right from the beginning.They is NO GAS anywhere. The ONLY vehicle with gas is theirs and what is left in their tank. POWER goes out and they treat it as some little minor inconvenience. (Well, in fact, it was, because it seemed the power came back on at times during the filming of the movie.) They find out from their various relatives that they are in for at least 3 months of this but instead of trying to do some long-term planning on how they will survive, they act as though they're on some little "outing" somewhere.******SPOILER******* Obviously, Piper's dad was right because the ONLY reason Dell picked up the gun was to use it in some psychotic rage at the end of the movie, instead of using it on either the knife-wielding car jacker or the thieves who stole their food.I'm sorry but some kind of thought should have been given to WHAT would you do WHEN it happens. This whole production reminded me of what a couple of rich college kids would shoot if mommy and daddy financed their "brilliant" production. Give this a PASS because in reality, EMPTY is not about the gas tank, it's a reference to the quality of the script.
dasreich1943
Very well made, considering the microscopic budget. The premise is great, both leads (Ashley & Jon) turn in excellent performances as the couple caught up in an increasingly lawless situation, as America runs out of petrol. Their bickering and arguing comes across as very authentic, and often very funny as well. The tension at times between the couple is palpable. There is one slight problem I had, the fact that the two of them don't watch the television as soon as they reach the house, but I can live with that! There are some quite gripping moments when things get out of hand. All in all, a great drama/thriller film made by an independent company on a shoestring. Well done.
surge3
The concept behind this movie was really good, but the script and acting ruined it. This "couple" (who look like they're around 23-24 years old) act like they are 15 year old freshman in highschool -- the constant lame arguing and bickering about crap that has nothing to do with the concept of the movie was even worse then the two actors trying to make it believable.The production was horrid as well -- it looks like this was filmed and produced on a flip camera and using windows movie maker. I like indie flicks, but come on now...invest in a decent camera \ post production editing facility! I also didn't understand some of the scenes...like the guy with the car in the road...what was that all about? There's no gas, so he's going to all of a sudden turn into a kidnapper \ rapist? Seriously? How does that help him get food \ gas? If anything, it will create another kid who needs more food and more gas (lol).And the fight scene between him and the boyfriend was so bad -- I've seen better fight scenes and acting in soap operas.I didn't get the ending either...the boyfriend would rather starve to death than take help from the girlfriend's father -- so he starts shooting innocent people? And why the F--- didn't he use the gun before when the two a*holes broke into their house and stole their food and supplies? It just doesn't make sense.Last but not least -- some sex scenes at least would have given this 3 stars.
