Blackwater Lane, based on the book, The Breakdown by B.A. Paris, it is the story of Cass (Minka Kelly) who discovers a murder, and then slowly loses her grip on reality as she attempts to solve a mystery. We’ve been here before, but that’s not necessarily bad. We all love a fun little mystery where the narrator might be unreliable and everyone is a suspect. But Elizabeth Fowler takes the source material and brings nothing new to the table. The result is a crumby mystery thriller with great scenery.

The film opens we are asked to believe that Cass (Minka Kelly) is making a solid living as a celebrated drama teacher at a prestigious school in England. With her marriage to Matthew (Dermot Mulroney) hitting a rough patch, Cass decides to go out for drinks with a group of co-workers. Among them is John (Alan Calton), a dashing member of the faculty that Cass has a modest fancy for. As the group disperses, Cass phones her husband. A storm is brewing, and clouds are gathering. Matthew warns Cass not to take the shortcut through the dangerous road known as Blackwater Lane yet she ignores the advice.  There she discovers a motorist in a car on the side of the road, but decides to continue home. The next morning it is revealed that the motorist on Blackwater Lane was murdered.

Suddenly everyone is a suspect, and the killer is still on the loose. Meanwhile, repairs are being made to the laughably palatial estate that she and her husband seem to be able to afford. A creepy,  repairman skulks the property offering vaguely threatening dialogue with Cass. That’s not to mention her star drama student Andrew (Judah Cousin) who finds every reason to appear at her door. Then there are the random bits of info that Cass’s husband Matthew seems to fixate on about the murder. The twists and turns are painfully obvious.

While the film is only so-so, the setting is nicely captured by a few talented folks. Most notably Felix Cramer‘s photography. I am a sucker for a wide aspect ratio and here the shots are well composed and crystal clear. We are given time to soak in the scenery before any of the stars come to chew on it. Adding to the positive is Nathan Halpern‘s music for the film which never becomes intrusive aside from a few forced stingers.

Finally, director Jeff Celentano seems to be in journeyman mode here, offering little more than oversight. There is no style, no intrigue. What really might have made this mystery thriller work could have been a bit of self-awareness. Not camp, that would be a different film altogether. But here the film is played so straight that is it becomes a parody of itself. All of that said, If you like your mystery paper thin and bordering on fantasy, you’ll be fine. Otherwise, keep on driving.

5 Out of 10