James Robinson (Ed Allenby) is a man with a secret. In the film’s first moments, he receives a mysterious voicemail asking for a package to be delivered posthaste. He finishes his call and turns his attention back to work when Hayley (Ashleigh Robson)—his fiancé and coworker—enters his office. She mentions a meeting they both attend soon thereafter. During the meeting, Hayley notices James acting strangely. He disappears to do a favor for an important client, driving Hayley to contact a private eye when she follows him to an unassuming townhouse.
Bridgette (Sophie Jugé), the detective she hires, seems to know her James and confronts him, calling him Jacob. James doesn’t recognize either of them, telling them to get out of his cousin’s house. Though rightly confused and hurt by the situation, Hayley and Bridgette decide to join forces and dig deeper, especially when they notice another man clumsily placing a tracking device on James/Jacob’s car.
Every once in a while, a low-budget film comes along and blows you away. Johnny Twoshoes is one such film. While the budget limits the setting at times, the actors and actresses throughout the film display outstanding acting skills. The director shows an aptitude for fantastic cinematography, while the almost Hitchcock-esque pacing of this thriller keeps us guessing well into the film. Why does James have multiple personalities? Is he a spy? Is this an act? Could he be an android? The mystery itself is compelling, especially as more and more women enter the picture.
Each loves James, but each knows him by a different name. Ed Allenby puts on a fantastic performance, adopting the personas with different speech patterns, accents, attitudes, and physical tics as if he’s putting on a new set of clothes. I haven’t seen such a satisfying performance since Tatiana Maslany’s stint in Orphan Black. Johnny Twoshoes is an expert thriller with an easy yet compelling plot just convoluted enough to keep us watching but not enough to leave us confused. Highly Recommended.
Where does this film belong on public library shelves?
Johnny Twoshoes belongs on thriller or drama shelves.
What type of film collection does this title fit in?
Johnny Twoshoes belongs in any collection of British thrillers.