EQUINOX

EQUINOX is a basic “good twin/bad twin separated at birth” story, with the brothers’ paths intersecting only in a final, violent shoot-out. Henry (Matthew Modine) is a shy, nerdy mechanic who works with adoptive father Pete. Henry is perennially hassled and abused by everyone in his neighborhood. Twin brother Freddy is just the opposite: smooth, aggressive, tough, and working himself into the hierarchy of a local crime boss. As these two pursue their parallel plot lines, it is Henry who becomes increasingly like the brother he has never met. He plays a crude self-defense video around the clock, and in a moment of rage, shoves a local bully down a flight of stairs. He also revs up his love life. Eventually, the brothers meet amidst much gunfire; but no one comes out ahead in this ambivalent, convoluted and unsatisfying climax.

The film boasts a competent writer-director, accomplished cinematographer, and a collection of talented actors and actresses, but this murky tale is surprisingly inept. Perhaps intended as satire, but not successful, the film bogs down with performances uniformly driven to caricature, countless lines which are outright groaners and atrocious writing and directing which pollute EQUINOX from beginning to end. All this, plus a highly unsatisfying ending, an ample collection of cuss words and female nudity on television, make EQUINOX a film well worth avoiding.