The Price You Pay

From the film school assignment of "telling a story with music only", director Phil Joanou created a fine serious drama about a gambling addict who after losing his small earnings on a small pool bet decides to leave his wife and baby behind to go to Vegas try his luck in the casinos and get his money back. Instead of dialogues. Mr. Joanou presented its small tale through the words and songs by Bruce Springsteen (from the albums "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "The River") and many descriptions, scenarios and even the melancholy rhythm of them all fit perfectly with the main character up's and down's.

The director had many short films during his early years as a film student that followed such concept of a soundtrack becoming the main voices and sounds rather than having the actors speaking, though there were always some humor element to them. This one is his most serious short ever since the war-themed "Casualties" (1982). In the case of "The Price You Pay" is all about Springsteen narrating through his songs what we're about to see with songs such as the title track, "Streets of Fire", "The River" and "Something in the Night", as our hero (played by Tony Kienitz) observes the dullness of a pointless life going nowhere in a smalltown that offers nothing but boredom, and all that's left is a friendly gambling moment that didn't serve him any good. But Las Vegas delivers some goods that are always followed with some dangerous temptations to the weak man. The words expressed don't necessarily need to follow the director's images and intention, sometimes it's through the melody, the beat and the sounds from the song that we have all the required emotions to feel the character's pain and mysery.

This combination of elements and the songs were really good, effectively well made. It makes us think deeper about the story, the situations presented that, while a life's sad cliche beyond the movies, felt as providing something extra. A clear observation on desperate hungry hearts and minds that feel the need of fulfillment with things that only brings plenty of dissatisfaction, emptiness, costing not only's time and money but also of others, especially loved ones. The few ones who learn a little with the movies will feel something deep down inside, and maybe avoid some costly prices to pay. 8/10.