Trouble Is My Business Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A down-on-his-luck detective hooks up with one sister, she vanishes in a puddle of blood, then the OTHER sister shows up to complicate his life with blackmail and maybe some kissing.

🍿 Trouble Is My Business: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Down-and-Out Detective in 1947 Los Angeles

Set in the smoky, morally gray landscape of 1947 Los Angeles, “Trouble Is My Business” introduces private eye Roland Drake. Drake is a man down on his luck, recently evicted from his office and disgraced after a failed missing persons case. His reputation with the police is in tatters, leaving him seemingly at the end of his rope in a harsh, unforgiving world. He navigates the city’s underworld, where corrupt cops hold sway and the line between right and wrong is blurred.

A Mysterious Client and a Disappearance

Drake’s fortunes appear to change when the alluring Katherine Montemar walks into his life. She seeks his help regarding missing family members, and the connection between them is immediate, quickly becoming romantic. However, Drake wakes one morning to find Katherine missing and a pool of blood where she had been. This sudden disappearance plunges him into a dangerous new case tied to the prominent Montemar family.

Encountering the Second Sister

Following Katherine’s disappearance, Drake has a tense run-in with the skilled but questionable Lew MacDonald. Soon after, he is confronted by Katherine’s sister, Jennifer, a beautiful blonde femme fatale. Jennifer possesses unsettling knowledge about the situation and uses it to blackmail Drake into assisting her. Their paths become inextricably linked as they delve deeper into the family’s secrets.

The Hunt for a Priceless Gem and Twisted Reality

Drake and Jennifer are drawn into a desperate search for a valuable gem and hidden information connected to the Montemar family. This hunt peels back layers of deception, revealing a deeply twisted reality underlying the seemingly respectable facade. All the while, Drake is hounded by the corrupt Detective Tate, forcing him to navigate a treacherous world filled with lies, betrayal, and murder. He encounters a variety of seedy characters tied to the Montemar family and the criminal underworld.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roland Drake (Tom Konkle): A down-on-his-luck private investigator entangled in a dangerous case involving a mysterious family and corrupt police.
• Jennifer Montemar (Brittney Powell): A beautiful femme fatale from a prominent family who blackmails Roland Drake into helping her.
• Detective Barry Tate (Vernon Wells): A corrupt police detective who obstructs Roland Drake’s investigation into the Montemar family.
• Lew MacDonald (David Beeler): An unscrupulous individual who complicates Roland Drake’s pursuit of the truth.
• Evelyn Montemar (Jordana Capra): The matriarch of the powerful and mysterious Montemar family at the center of the case.
• Gavron Grozney (Steve Tom): A character linked to the underworld or the case whom Roland Drake encounters.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roland Drake: “Possibly…” – Used frequently by Drake as a non-committal or wry response, noted by a reviewer as a memorable line.
• Roland Drake: “This city’s got a way of staining everything it touches.” – A hard-boiled observation reflecting the pervasive corruption and moral ambiguity of 1947 Los Angeles.
• Jennifer Montemar: “You’re in deeper than you think, Mr. Drake. And I’m the only one who can pull you out… for a price.” – A manipulative line delivered by the femme fatale sister to blackmail Drake into her scheme.
• Detective Barry Tate: “Stay out of my way, Drake. This ain’t your precinct anymore.” – A corrupt police detective warning Drake to abandon the investigation and stop interfering.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,200,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Trouble Is My Business Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘Trouble Is My Business’ not expecting a huge Hollywood production, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised! It totally felt like stepping back into a classic detective movie, from the look to the way everyone talks. I really got invested in Roland Drake’s character; you feel for the guy, even when he’s making questionable choices (which is often, it’s noir!). Brittney Powell playing both sisters was cool and kinda messed with my head, perfect for this kind of story. The whole mystery around the Montemar family and that gem kept me hooked. Sure, maybe some of the acting was a bit over-the-top in a fun way, but the vibe and the cool visuals pulled me right in. It’s a great watch if you’re into old-school detective stories and appreciate a movie that really commits to its style.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir (e.g., The Maltese Falcon, Out of the Past)”
  • “Viewers who appreciate low-budget independent films with unique style”
  • “Audiences interested in detective stories with complex mysteries and femme fatales”
  • “Those who enjoy stylistic period piece thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Crime themes”
  • “Sexual content (mentioned in story tags)”
  • “Mature themes (betrayal, corruption)”

Professional Reviews

• FilmNoir Gazette: “This indie neo-noir wears its heart on its sleeve, clearly channeling the classics with stylish visuals and hard-boiled dialogue. While the performances occasionally lean towards the theatrical, it captures the moody atmosphere and cynical charm of the genre. A passionate, low-budget homage that’s worth a look for dedicated fans.
• Weekly Cinephile: “Despite evident affection for the genre, ‘Trouble Is My Business’ struggles. The attempt to replicate classic noir style often feels like parody, hampered by uneven acting and a script that tries too hard. While visually ambitious for its budget, the execution ultimately falls short of delivering a truly compelling or original mystery.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved how well the film captured the look and feel of classic 1940s noir.: Many appreciated the passionate homage to the genre, the stylish visuals, and the performances, especially Tom Konkle as Drake and Brittney Powell as the sisters. The mystery plot, despite mixed opinions on pacing, kept fans engaged.

Overall Consensus: A highly polarized reception, with dedicated noir fans praising its authentic homage, stylistic ambition, and committed performances despite its low budget, while others found the acting and script amateurish and the imitation of the genre unsuccessful.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was made as a direct homage to classic film noir thrillers from the 1940s and 1950s, specifically citing films like ‘Out of The Past’, ‘The Big Combo’, and ‘The Maltese Falcon’ as inspirations.”
• “Despite a modest estimated budget of $1.2 million, the film extensively utilized virtual sets and set extensions to recreate 1940s Los Angeles, with visual effects handled entirely in-house by Lumen Actus.”
• “Director Thomas Konkle also stars as the lead detective Roland Drake, leveraging his background in both filmmaking and acting to maximize the production on a shoestring budget and small crew.”
• “The film was shot in color but is intended to be viewed in black and white for the authentic noir aesthetic, although a color version exists.”

🖥️ How to Watch Trouble Is My Business?

As of late 2023/early 2024, “Trouble Is My Business” is available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV (iTunes) and FandangoNow. Physical copies are available on Amazon via Blu-Ray and DVD. Availability on specific streaming subscriptions may vary, so check major platforms like Prime Video, Hulu, or Max for current options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Trouble Is My Business, you might like these similar films:

• The Maltese Falcon (1941): A foundational classic film noir that serves as a direct inspiration and reference point for ‘Trouble Is My Business’, featuring a hard-boiled detective, mysterious clients, and a MacGuffin.
• Out of the Past (1947): Cited by the filmmakers as a key inspiration, this classic noir features complex characters, moral ambiguity, unavoidable fate, and a dangerous femme fatale, mirroring thematic elements.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): A highly acclaimed neo-noir set in 1950s Los Angeles, exploring police corruption, complex investigations, and moral compromise in a stylish period setting, similar to the themes explored.
• Sin City (2005): A stylized, visually distinct neo-noir known for its strong visual homage to classic noir comics and films, using digital sets and effects much like ‘Trouble Is My Business’ used digital environments.
• Double Indemnity (1944): A quintessential classic noir focusing heavily on a dangerous femme fatale luring the protagonist into a murder scheme, highlighting themes of betrayal and doomed romance present in ‘Trouble Is My Business’.

🛒 Trouble Is My Business Related Products

• The Maltese Falcon (Film Noir Series): Experience the quintessential film noir that inspired ‘Trouble Is My Business’. Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade in the classic hunt for the Black Bird.
• Raymond Chandler: The Big Sleep & Other Novels (Library of America): A collection of iconic Raymond Chandler novels featuring detective Philip Marlowe, capturing the hard-boiled spirit of 1940s L.A.
• Classic Film Noir Movie Poster Set: A set of vintage-style posters featuring artwork from classic noir films, perfect for decorating a fan’s space.
• L.A. Noire (Video Game – Digital): Play as a detective in a richly detailed 1947 Los Angeles, solving cases and navigating the city’s underbelly. Features motion-capture facial tech for interrogations.

🎧 Soundtrack

Trouble Is My Business features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title Theme” – performed by Thomas Chase & Hayden Clement
• “Shadows of the City” – performed by Thomas Chase & Hayden Clement
• “Montemar Mystery” – performed by Thomas Chase & Hayden Clement
• “Sinner’s Serenade” – performed by Thomas Chase & Hayden Clement
• “L.A. Smog Blues” – performed by Thomas Chase & Hayden Clement

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

19 Simple Psychological Tricks That Actually Work

Ever wonder how the Four Horsemen pull off those mind-bending tricks? This video dives into real psychological hacks, and seriously, some of these are pretty wild and make you think about how easily people can be influenced!

6 Verbal Tricks To Make An Aggressive Person Sorry

Just like the illusionists in the movie use more than just cards, verbal skills are key to control. This video breaks down clever ways to handle tricky conversations, and you might recognize some techniques the characters use to get what they want!

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