Agony

A glorified gimmick substitutes for a real story in writer-director David Clay Diaz’s dreary drama about two colorless, emotionally stifled young men, one of whom viewers know is going to commit a murder at some point. The question is which one will do this heinous act? From the start, the film charts the parallel lives of the two suspects—Christian (Samuel Schneider), a taciturn student studying to become a judge, and Alex (Alexander Srtschin), a rebellious slacker lout—who are surrounded by clueless adults and having opposite relationships with women. After a while, it becomes obvious who will be the killer, making any further hints superfluous, and needlessly subjecting the audience to appalling behaviors that serve no purpose. Agony has the feel of a personal catharsis story (it is based on the killing of a Diaz acquaintance), but it is not a catharsis that translates into release or illumination for others. Not recommended. (T. Keogh)