The Vortex

A feature-length drama directed by Richard Zelniker, written by Zelniker and Steven Barr and starring Billy Gardell, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Emily Alabi and Jeremy Luke. This film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and is scheduled to be released in the UK in September via Tubi.

To begin, the title card that opens the feature is a bit misleading. The text describes the devastating fire that occurred at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on the 21st of November 1980 and (following dramatic opening credits) it is stated that the events in the story take place a few hours before the fire. These clues might give the impression that this is going to be a survival thriller, with people trapped inside a burning building, trying desperately to get to safety. This is not the plot.

What is the plot then? It centres on Pete Finnegan (Gardell) a stand-up comedian. He is currently in the MGM Grand Hotel doing his comedy gigs and the narrative starts after he finishes his latest one and retires to a room with slot machines, where he sits down and uses one of them to play some poker. While he is there, a variety of people he is familiar with keep paying him a visit. These individuals include Jackie (Alabi), a cleaner, Johnnie (Luke), a musician, Ginny (Ortiz) and Jimmy (Titus) and Louie (Gracer), two loan sharks as Pete has gotten himself into serious debt. The vast majority of the narrative takes place in the slot machine room, with Pete interacting with other characters, listening to their stories and giving them advice, while at the same time trying his luck on one of the machines.

So, no, this is not a feature about a burning building (although the fire does play a part in the story), however, that is not a bad thing. This is a drama and a dark comedy and (to a certain degree) also a thriller. Some of the strengths are the colourful characters that are explored effectively thanks to the well-written screenplay that also contains great dialogue. Additionally, there is composer Asdru Sierra's contribution, that being a jazz score that is accompanied by a great deal of drumming. Zelniker gets quite creative with the filmmaking techniques, creating a feature that consists of many long takes with a hand-held camera, a process that is accompanied by Justin Richards' moody cinematography.

As he is a stand-up comedian in real life, Gardell appears to have no issues bringing his comedic qualities on the screen, creating a seasoned comedian who means well, yet his clumsy actions have gotten him into deep trouble with criminals. Regarding the criminals, they are the two debt collectors who are after Pete and the menace that they both generate thanks to the performances of Titus and Gracer, makes them perhaps the most intriguing persons who interact with Pete.

So all these people having discussions with Pete reflect what? Self-reflection and misfortunes are present themess, with the characters describing experiences and issues. Moreover, stand-up comedy and money issues are also acknowledged.

The main thing that viewers will see here will be a man sitting at a slot machine and talking to other people. This might seem kind of dull, but actually, it is a viewing that is filled with numerous interesting stories, impressive camerawork and some decent jokes.