12 HOUR SHIFT **** USA 2020 Dir: Brea Grant. 83 mins
Drug addicted nurse Mandy (Angela Bettis) and work colleague Karen (Nikea Gamby-Turner) have a small business on the side providing organs for trafficking on the black market. Mandy’s cousin (by marriage) Regina is the person that picks up the organs and takes them to the gang paying for them. Regina (Chloe Farnworth) bungles a collection and is threatened by the gang boss Nicholas (Mick “Cactus Jack” Foley) so goes back to the hospital for a replacement. Things go horribly wrong at the hospital as Mandy tries to find a replacement kidney and the body count increases. The cops arrive as Regina takes matters into her own hands sparking rumours of a murderer on the loose in the hospital putting the entire operation in jeopardy. Not only that but Mandy discovers a family member in a bad way in one of the rooms.
Brea Grant has created a dark, quirky but really fun take on this subject. Without realising it, it plays on your emotions which really has you routing for Bettis’ character. A couple of great little twists keep the momentum going with David Arquette appearing as a convicted criminal who tried to commit suicide. Incidentally Arquette and a few other members of the cast and crew have producer credits on this which to me shows they have a lot of faith in the project.
The other great thing about 12 HOUR SHIFT is that it is set in 1999, so expect some great slightly dated set pieces and familiar choices in costume. It has some fantastic musical compositions from Matt Glass consisting of mainly classical based tracks heavily featuring cello that really stand out. A definite black comedy the humour is very character based with a whole host of different personalities ranging from Reginas total stupidity, Officer Myers naivety, Nurse Dorothys faith, camp patient Mr. Kent and, of course, not forgetting the dancing EMT!! There is something to spark a smile from all who see it. There is a suitable amount of blood and comical yet wince inducing mishaps to entertain. The whole movie flows incredibly well and is expertly executed from all involved. Well worth checking out.
Review by Sarah Budd