Philadelphia – First-time director John Hunt, from BucksCounty, originally planned to make a film with a man as the revenge-seeking protagonist taking justice into his own hands.
Luckily, he also wrote an alternative plotline, starring a woman. And when Blanche Baker, the daughter of Carol Baker, noticed the film while shopping around for movie roles, Hunt had a first-rate protagonist to fill the role of Polly O’Bannon in “Jersey Justice.”
Hunt has worked in the film industry for many years as an actor, occasionally aiding and learning from producers while on set for filming. “I got into the bug of making my first film and then started my own film company, Browntown films,” said Hunt.
Currently in limited pre-release screenings to garner interest for a wider release, “Jersey Justice” is a small-budget film created by a movie buff on his first venture behind the camera.But “Jersey Justice” doesn’t feel like a low-budget, first-time film, and it seems likely Hunt will get his funding.
Revolving around a 24-hour period in which Polly O’Bannon’s (Baker) husband is shot and killed in a mix-up between several Philadelphia thugs, the shocked housewife turns to violence to avenge her husband’s undeserved death. Collecting weapons and supplies in record time, O’Bannon hits the road looking for her husband’s killer, attracting a variety of colorful characters similarly thirsting for revenge – or a good road trip – along the way.
Felix Romeo, played by Maria Soccor, New York model and actress, a rough & ready biker with her own incentive for revenge, strongly flavors the script with her defiant independence, while Irish drunkard Finney (Ed McCool) lends a car and a touch of humor to the mix. John Williams (Johnny Roastbeef in “Goodfellas”) also crops up as Big Bill Romeo, the bartender at “Mrs. Jay’s,” a shady biker bar where the first part of the revenge plan is enacted.
Although O’Bannon is on a vengeful killing spree, Baker’s portrayal of the character lends a sympathetic tinge to her portrayal – though it seems unlikely that O’Bannon would be able to proceed as far with her plans as she does without police intervention.
Still, the story is entertaining, fast moving and a nice twist on the often-used male revenge thriller. The shady dealings of the gang at the scene of the murder confuse the plot slightly, but Hunt retains a strong connection to O’Bannon throughout, using her humanity to maintain empathy.
Hunt’s film, largely starring local actors and crew onscreen and behind the camera, is testimony to the power of good artistic sense of direction to sell a movie. He says he budgeted the film “on a wink and a prayer,” but thanks to strong characters and a gripping story, his film looks to be poised for a breakthrough.
Lindsay Warner can be reached at calendar@thebulletin.us