The Angel Inn is a great story driven drama about three friends returning home because a mutual friend had passed away. In his will, Stan Winston (Matt Gonzalez), Pete Miller (Daniel Kelly), and Janet Sloan (Carla Albi) co-inherit their friend's bar to their surprise. There are many memories that came to mind to the three and each of them has their own ideas of what was to become of that place. The question is, who's decision will reign supreme of the three. And will they be able to reconcile the past that haunts them when they return to their small rural town.
This low budget independent movie has great story driven content. The audience is driven to the relationships between the actors and how the conflict of their past drives them. Matthew Gonzales, who plays Stan Winston really drives that guy you love to hate character home. Bent on profiting for his future gain, he tries to manipulate the other two to see it his way. Contrary to popular belief, playing a villain isn't as easy as you think. The antagonist is basically the guy who sees he is in the right just like the heroes in the film. Sometimes it is the opposite of an actor's core values so to be believable in that role takes some time and preparation and Matthew does it well. I'd keep watch for all these actors as they did a fantastic job in the film.
The cinematography adds to that small sleepy independent feel and all this wraps up into one nice package. It makes one reflect after seeing the movie about how the past would influence you and when you return to a place after all these years, would you reconcile with people you just lost touch with. An inspiring movie and worth a watch.
