Squatters (2014 Video) User Reviews

Flawed, but Pleasant Story of Love and Redemption

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 17 May 2014]

In Venice, California, Kelley Tanner (Gabriela Wilde) and Jonas Trumball (Thomas Dekker) are homeless teenagers that live on the beach and spend the day using drugs, drinking booze and shoplifting to survive. One day, Jonas overhears a conversation in a parking area between a woman named Evelyn (Lolita Davidovich) and her housekeeper, and Evelyn tells that she will travel for one month with her husband David (Richard Dreyfuss) and she gives the alarm code to her servant. Jonas sees the chance to rob the house and brings Kelley that is drugged with him. Kelley is needy of family love since she was a foster girl that left her foster house to live on the streets, and she spend the days watching to home videos and getting evolved with Evelyn, David, their son Michael (Luke Grimes), who has a poster of "The Kid" in his room, and their deceased daughter Stephanie. But Jonas is interested in robbing as much as possible to start a new life in Mexico. He meets a dangerous criminal to deal the jewelry and the Porsches of the family. But the family returns and Kelley and Jonas need to flee from the house. When Kelley is wandering on the streets, she stumbles with a movie theater that is showing Charles Chaplin's "The Kid". She buys a ticket and realizes that she is alone in the theater; out of the blue, Charles enters in the theater and sits near her. Soon they drink coffee together and Michael dates Kelley and falls in love with her. Kelly does not disclose her past to Michael but soon she is haunted by what she did.

"Squatters" is a movie with a flawed, but pleasant story of love and redemption. Gabriela Wilde has a sweet face but her characters changes too much after a bath, from a drugged to an almost innocent teenager. The story works well until the rushed romance between Michael and Kelley. The plot should have extended their love to make sense the conclusion, with Kelley's redemption and acceptance of Michael and his family. Despite the unbelievable conclusion, the movie deserves a chance to be watched. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Desabrigados" ("Unsheltered")

"You have a beautiful family--It's nice to be part of it"

[doug_park2001 · 7/10 · 26 June 2014]

Desperate, drug-addicted, and homeless, Kelly (Gabriella Wilde) and Jonas (Thomas Dekker) have a random stroke of luck and find themselves squatting in the lavish home of the wealthy Silvermans, who are vacationing in Greece. Jonas rationalizes that it should be their privilege to do this because rich people are all corrupt pigs anyway, but Kelly watches the Silvermans' home movies and finds them to be more tragically ordinary and human than Jonas will ever realize. Jonas gets a little too eager and greedy with the Silvermans' expensive jewelry and cars, arranging a lucrative deal with a dangerous racketeer, and to tell you any more would be spoilous.

SQUATTERS is well-acted by just about everyone involved, with especially memorable performances by Wilde and Luke Grimes as Michael Silverman. Some other reviewers have criticized its Hollywood-slick portrayal of life's underside in L.A., and it could have shown a bit more sympathy in that area, but what it does show seemed pretty realistic to me. The general cinematography is excellent, with some really pretty south Cali scenery.

On the other hand, the transformation that Kelly and Jonas make is pretty unconvincing, as are certain other things, e.g., Jonas's safe-cracking abilities, and wouldn't the maid be coming by occasionally? The ending's somewhat rushed plus a little too neat, easy, and Peter Pan for many tastes. Overall, it just seems that the directors and writers could have made a little more-in-general happen here.

Still, SQUATTERS does have some interesting turnabouts and nice old morals to it. The fine acting and expert production help compensate for some of the basic flaws to the story, and I like the way it left me rooting for both Kelly/Jonas and the Silvermans.

Jewish allegory

[pontificator · 5/10 · 21 May 2015]

I found it telling that the criminals pad was more spectacular than the 1%'er fat cats, no doubt that was intentional, maybe crime does pay after all. In contrast to most other reviews the only thing I found preposterous was the ending and the police not checking out the house when they come around. definitely would not have been something cursory in the Palisades, given the taxes those people must pay. Other than these things it was quite OK, obviously not Oscar material. it was interesting to live vicariously thru the squatters enjoying the house (but annoyingly not fully) for the duration. a bit like hitting the mall in the dawn of the dead. the sons pad in Venice though not glamorous was also nothing to sneeze at, but that's fat cats for you, they make sure the next generation of fat cats are well set up.

Lame, poor writing.

[pieeye-1 · 4/10 · 14 May 2014]

Whoever wrote this must have never left the suburbs. I've been homeless and never saw other homeless people walk around with a dirty face. You can't sleep on the beach in California. They make sure everyone is off the beach at 10:00 pm. They even have helicopters with searchlights overhead to make sure no one is hanging back.An amateur cracking a safe? Please. Next time you write a movie try to do a little research. They also find clothes that just fit them.This story has more holes in it than swiss cheese. I' sorry but the sloppy writing kept me distracted. I couldn't enjoy the movie. The acting was good. Too bad it wasn't enough.

Preposterous Plot Elements Overshadow All Else

[larrys3 · 4/10 · 15 May 2014]

I thought this film maintained some tension at times and had some interesting theme elements such as rich versus poor and some self-worth issues. However the movie takes such preposterous twists and turns that, in my opinion, it loses any sense of real credibility.

Gabriela Wilde and Thomas Dekker star as Kelly and Jonas respectively. They're homeless and sleeping on the beaches of Venice, California, while "dumpster diving" and shoplifting from local stores for subsistence.

However, one night when Jonas has ventured into the affluent neighborhood of Pacific Palisades to see what he can steal from unlocked cars, he overhears a conversation between a woman (Lolita Davidovich) and her housekeeper. The woman, Evelyn, is instructing her on how often to clean her home, as she's ready to embark on a trip for a number of weeks. Evelyn even gives the housekeeper the code for the alarm system.

Jonas immediately sees this as a golden opportunity to rob her home while she's away, and he's able to follow her home to locate the address. Finding Kelly strung out on drugs back in Venice and hanging out with some "bad dudes", Jonas takes her to the rather palatial home of Evelyn and her husband David (Richard Dreyfuss) who have left already for their trip to Greece.

Once in the house, Kelly and Jonas are satisfied to just take baths, put on some nice clothes, and help themselves to food and liquor. They even take one of the luxurious high-price cars to a swanky restaurant in town. Jonas had been able to easily (one of the plot elements that didn't ring true) open Evelyn and David's house safe, which was chocked with money and jewels.

You can see Kelly is just going "along for the ride", but Jonas sees this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to sell as much as he can of the contents of the home, plus the cars and jewelry, and start a new life.

Without going into any real spoilers here, let's just say things don't go according to plan, and, as mentioned, the plot takes a number of twists and turns which I thought were ridiculous and non-believable for the most part.

Although you can feel for Kelly, in some ways, as the film progresses, and you wonder how it will all turn out, it's not enough to overcome the incredulous elements that are thrown into the mix.

Fakey

[westsideschl · 3/10 · 8 June 2014]

Was too fakey right from the start. Most dumpster diving streeters look nothing like our Hollywood made up with make up, eye candy actors. The ripping off of a small deli scenes were Holly stereotyping; the grungy look was too wardrobe department shopping; the dirty faces/bodies looked like what a make up artist would create with a brush and the same medium gray water based paint - brush painting in all the right places. More laughable than real. The matrix slow motion effects were as cheap as the very fake punches being thrown in one scene. The owners' reactions to home invasion and serious theft - "What's for dinner!" Son in owner's family predictably and unimaginatively falls for our now magically transformed theft girl (Cinderella after a bath and stolen clothes.) and like all love stories (well, Hollywood love stories) he never truly leaves her.

Roughly equivalent to daytime tele soap opera production if that is one's entertainment interest.

I was pretty impressed by this one...and it gets better the longer you watch.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 17 May 2014]

The first portion of Squatters didn't impress me very much. After all, it simply consists of bad people doing bad things. And, I was worried that the film would simply glorify rotten behavior or have the baddies die in a hail of bullets. However, don't worry—the film gets better—a lot better! And, it doesn't succumb to the usual clichés.

When the film begins, Jonas and Kelley (Thomas Dekker and Gabriella Wilde) are homeless. They survive by rooting through dumpsters for food and shoplifting. And, when they aren't doing this, they sleep outdoors and do drugs. Their life isn't very satisfying or complete, that's for sure. However, through some dumb luck, while Jonas is out looking for something to steal, he manages to overhear a woman talking to her maid about their family going on vacation. And, because the woman thinks the two of them are along, she tells the maid the combination to the burglar alarm system! Jonas follows the lady woman home and it looks like he's got it maid…the woman is rich! Later, after the family has left for their trip, Jonas brings Kelley to the house for a little vacation…and to steal everything he can get! For a while, the pair see what it's like to live like rich folks—and they treat themselves to the family's clothes and sports car as well as a great dinner—all paid for by the people on vacation. However, while they stay there, Kelley finds herself looking through videos of the family. And, the more she watches them, the more connected with these people she feels. And, over time, she starts to care for these people she's never met and who they've been robbing. Jonas, on the other hand, just sees it as a chance to make a HUGE killing—and plans on selling everything he can. While this may not seem like that interesting a film, it's the second half that really works well…when the family returns. I could say a lot more about this, but frankly it would spoil the film. Suffice to say it's worth the wait.

This is a very interesting film because Richard Dreyfus and Lolita Davidovich play very small parts in support of Dekker and Wilde. Considering that Dreyfus is an Oscar-winning actor and probably doesn't need the money, you can only assume he liked the script or director of they were holding his family hostage to make him appear in the film (I would REALLY like to know)! Regardless, the pair were a really nice addition to what otherwise might just look like an indie picture. Dreyfus is, as always, terrific and Davidovich is timelessly beautiful. They also make GREAT supporting characters. Imagine…a Hollywood film in which rich people are nice and haven't earned their fortunes by being jerks! They are just sweet folks—as is their son in the film (played by Luke Grimes). In fact, although I am definitely straight, I found myself falling in love with Grimes' character—he was just so decent and sweet! With such great support, the film cannot help but work. And, let's not forget Dekker and, especially, Wilde—they are just terrific.

Overall, this is a surprisingly good film that is best seen instead of described. Be forewarned, however, that this is rated R and has a bit of nudity and violence (especially at the end). Now this is NOT to say it's gratuitous—as many nude scenes are done with great taste and are not intended to titillate but forward the plot. Well done all around and, unusual for me, there really isn't anything I didn't like about the film!

Laughably Bad

[OlgaUK1-212-180260 · 1/10 · 2 June 2014]

Well, that's nearly two hours I'll never get back. This movie is bad on so many levels. No time was taken to develop the characters, a preposterous plot, bad writing, it's just bad all around. Gabriella Wilde is the only watchable one in the film. While it features other rather talented actors, there's only so much you can do with such poor writing. I can't believe Richard Dreyfuss would lend his name to this awful movie.

As a side note: Could we please dispense with the clichéd British bad guy?? In this film especially, I felt I was watching Austen Powers at times, it was so ridiculous.

sucker

[selmadeboer · 4/10 · 12 December 2015]

I grew me a pair of cheese-balls during this movie.... WOW. There where moments when I thought the movie could still be saved by a major twist.. But they just didn't seem to get there en my cheese-balls began to grow out of proportions. I wouldn't say 'worst movie ever' but it is definitely nominated... What all above has been said already.. Cheap storyline.. And they looked like hipster Cyber-Goth's to me instead of homeless people.. If a real homeless person would see this it would be a real shame. And the matrix porn-scene made me laugh my ass of. More like a comedy to me. And whats with the 'Robert Smith' reincarnation? Well, if I where you I still would definitely watch this just to laugh your ass of. At least I did.

Just creepy

[cekadah · 2/10 · 3 August 2014]

I ask whoever may read this to please read the Larry Silverstein review titled 'Preposterous'. This writer is far more level headed in his review than I could ever hope to be.

Everyone, EVERYONE, in this movie is just plain creepy. Even the story is creepy! We are suppose to believe two drugged out street urchins suddenly clean themselves up and are so pretty - no. The first giveaway was the pure white straight teeth and the fake smudges of fake dirt. And the rich folks clothes fit them perfectly! No! And the girl who in one scene is so drugged out she going to let herself be 'used' by 4 thugs. Then she watches a family video found in the fancy house and suddenly she has transformed into a meek virginal debutante who is ready to sacrifice her life for the 'nice rich family'. No! And then the rich families son falls in love with her and just happens to find her in the movie theatre - just silly.

Even the underground drug lord was more like a comic book character. Honestly did Martin Weisz actually view the finished movie? I think not. And Richard Dreyfuss must be 'in need' to do that role as the ever-so-cool dad because he seemed ambivalent in every word he tried to speak.

Bad movie, too long.

No sympathy for the thieves

[dave_vee · 4/10 · 27 December 2022]

Felt bad for the victims in this movie. Petty crime was done against them. Felt no sympathy for the perpetrators. They made wrong decisions showing neither shame nor morality. They did not receive the punishment they deserved. The attempted love story involving one of the perpetrators and one of the victims was preposterous to say the least. That would never happen as the victim could not possibly be that stupid. Wish the film had featured a conclusion where justice was served to the perpetrators along with anyone else complicit in their crime spree. I guess the writers were banking on sympathy for the criminals. Not found here.

Loved it!

[alfresco-gs · 10/10 · 26 June 2014]

I thought this was fantastic I love Luke along with her they make sparks. Dreamy and very pleasant and fun. Music is great to and the plot is OK….. Perfect viewing. Watched it twice now actually cause I think he is just awesome! To write 10 lines review though is actually quite hard. Sit down with a cup of tea and your partner on an evening in….Actually not with tea ………wine is always better. I got into the plot right from the start. The scene of them partying on the beach was fantastic and following that obviously the best one is when she rejects him and then shows up and they instantly went for it. The movie has it all its fun, romantic, funny, sad & tragic would have preferred a full on sex scene but hey…..what is also very captivating is the relationship between Michael and his father. All in all I highly recommend and I have scored it a full blown 10/10. Thank you and enjoy!

Not a very good film, but some bright spots

[luciphee · 5/10 · 11 August 2018]

The premise of this film shows promise, but the story that director Martin Weisz chooses to tell ends up being far more wish-fulfilling fairytale, and less an examination of youth on the streets, and the contrast to lives of the 1% living next door. Thomas Dekker and Gabriella Wilde are really just not substantial enough actors to bring any gravitas to the product. Dekker is way too over the top, and never strikes a note of authenticity. Wilde is incredibly lovely, and mostly vapid aside from a few sparks of life she manages in the 2nd half of the film. In fact, its probably better to speed through the first half of this film, because it picks up considerably in the second half. Probably because that's when far more competent actors show up to help carry in the film, i.e Dreyfuss, Davidovich, and Luke Grimes playing the way too perfect son that falls in love with Wilde. On a side note, did no one ever consider switching the roles for Dekker and Grimes? I suspect if they had, you still wouldn't have had a very good film, but I think you would've had a better one. Pro's like Dreyfuss and Davidovich do manage to strike some sympathetic notes as the rich couple who appear to have the perfect lives, but in reality, also are dealing with loss and heartache. And I found myself rooting for the happy ending in spite of my head telling me how ludicrous it was. Chalk that up to some nice chemistry between Wilde and Grimes. And, the film does have an interesting soundtrack, so it had that going for it.

Stupidly bad.

[beingmoscow · 1/10 · 28 November 2023]

First, the director and the writer both need to be permanently banned from making any more stupid movies. Nothing is good about this. Bad acting, bad directing, bad art direction. Nothing is convincing and everything screams pretentious. Prop design and costume designers are beyond pathetic. I wonder if the whole crew got recruited from a local church stage acting somewhere. I got aggravated watching these fools delivering bad acting and bad plots. Did they not know the viewers are not as stupid as they wanted us to be? Who are the fooling? It all goes back to the sh**ty screenwriter and equally bad director getting together luring numb skulled producers to agree to fund this pathetic movie. I wish them all go to hell for wasting my time and making this nonsense movie.