Overrated

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

While hunting in the woods one day, an alcoholic poacher picks the wrong target and precipitates a series of events that threatens to destroy his life and the financial security of the married woman with whom he is having an illicit affair. Set in the filthy backwaters of West Virginia, this grim story of love and revenge is a fine example of the popular and well established Redneck Noir genre.I rate A Single Shot at 23.31 on the Haglee Scale, which works out as a gritty 7/10 on IMDB

So a bunch of white trash live in a little town and go after a hunter John Moon when he accidentally kills a woman. John sees that she has a huge load of cash in her car which he decides to take since he is desperate to hold on to his wife who has left with and she takes their son with him.The writing here is not good and the dialogue is just off in a few parts with some unnecessary vulgarity. Kelly Reilly plays John's wife and she pulls off a Southern accent well despite being British. She is way too good looking for John's character who is an unshaven bum with bad teeth.I did not like the ending at all. Left me very unfulfilled wanting more. Interesting plot which kept my interest at first but then it fell apart at the end.

This is a very well made film in all respects. As such it will work for very different viewers. If you just want to be entertained, the simple yet strong plot will keep you on your toes. As thrillers go, it really thrills. It is very unlikely that you will feel you've seen it all before. Actually you have, but the theme of money corrupting friendships and leading to violence and tragedy feels fresh or refreshed if you like here. Should you wish to view A Single Shot as cinema art, fine. It has all you can wish for, a gripping script for the brilliantly cast first rate actors to chew on, atmospheric cinematography, you name it. Overall the film has the feel of Scandinavian modern crime noir, and why not. It is set way out in distinctly northern woods. The feel is underlined by the music score, written by Icelandic composer Atli Örvarsson. It will give you the creeps. At times the strings get annoying, I guess on purpose, making tense spots even tenser. Down side of the Scandinavian influence is that the film gets too slow for it's own good at times, but luckily does not stay that way. Watching the film I was reminded of the 1990 film the Grifters, where a stash of money is also the cause of people turning on even their loved ones. The films couldn't be more different, but both present this classic film noir premise very well - no plot holes. Some reviewers have watched A Single Shot twice, and I guess I will be joining them.

Grim and Gloomy, this Neo-Noir is a Cold Thriller that is Atmospheric and Character Driven. There are some Scary People and some Scary Moments in this Tale of Small Town, Backwoods Glum. The Tone is a Titillating Grab the Money and Cover Up the Crime Film that Feels Alienated and Familiar, Interesting and Foreboding. Sam Rockwell Leads a Cast of Familiar Faces that are Buried in Deep Alcoholic Mumbles Punctuated with Low IQ's and High Energy.It Twists and Turns in the way it is On Again Off Again as the Protagonist is Pulled Here and There by His Own Missteps and the Forces of Evil. It is an Intriguing Film, mostly, Hampered Somewhat by some Sloppy Plot Executions in the Middle. There are some Ambiguous Motivations and Dialog along the way, but the Beginning and the Ending are Enough to make this a Fine, Modern, Desperate Exercise in Temptation, Fate, and a Revelation that Yes, it is a Scary World out there and can be all the more Terrifying if You take the Wrong Turn on that Rural Road.