I’ve been saying this for a long time, but if you’re going to make a genre film, you need to be a fan of the genre. In Richard Kilroy’s neo-noir Proof Sheet, Kilroy understands all the elements of noir even though he changes the players and the film’s setting up a bit to stand out from the crowd.
Angel (Leo Llenas) is about to celebrate his 21st birthday, but his life is a bit go-nowhere. He hopes to one day turn his love of photography into a profession, so he works for minimum wage at his uncle Gilbert’s (Alejandro Delgado) photo lab.
While at lunch, Angel spots a beautiful woman, Reina (Catherine Lidstone), who is being followed by a menacing man in a hoodie. Angel runs interference with the man so Reina can escape. As luck would have it, Reina was heading to Angel’s photo lab over some business with Gilbert. The closed-off Reina leaves, but not after accepting an invitation to Angel’s birthday party that night.
At the tail end of the party, Reina shows up and confesses to Angel that she hopes to leave L.A., but she is being blackmailed by some thugs holding Reina’s sister hostage. Angel says he’ll help rescue her and to meet him at the photo lab the next day. But, of course, Reina never shows up, and just before closing up shop for the night, a last-minute rush shows up when Angel develops the film. Unfortunately, it contains pictures of Reina in physical danger.
“…she is being blackmailed by some thugs holding Reina’s sister hostage. Angel says he’ll help rescue her…”
If Proof Sheet doesn’t scream neo-noir, I don’t know what will. It starts with a sad sack of a private investigator, which in this case is photography enthusiast Angel. Angel is immediately smitten with the femme fatale, Reina, who begs for his help, knowing that it will put him in danger. When Reina winds up missing, Angel is obsessed with finding her, even at his own peril. While this amateur investigator starts stirring up trouble, Angel quickly finds himself in over his head.
Also, like a good noir, Proof Sheet takes place in Los Angeles, specifically in the predominantly Hispanic city of Echo Park and director Richard Kilroy and co-writer Eduardo Santiago infuse Hispanic culture into this tale.
This brings up lead actor Leo Llenas, who is brilliant casting as the one who carries the entire film. When the film opens, he’s this naive kid who just wants to rise above his situation. He feels a bit of an outsider as he speaks little-to-no Spanish, and he’s the son of Mexican immigrants who wanted a better life for their children in the States. Angel starts off as naive but quickly gets reality slapped into him. He soon makes impulsive decisions to do what he thinks is right, only to blow it up in his face.
Another element of noir is the idea that people…loved ones…that you thought you knew from the idyllic picture you made up in your mind are not who they say they are. Angel’s hardworking uncle Gilbert holds a lot of secrets about the clients he’s taken in recently. Angel’s father is a disgraced cop about to find redemption but still won’t take any of his calls. On a side note, there is a medium, played by Maria Conchita Alonso, that adds a little spiritual flair to the story.
Proof Sheet succeeds in bringing the noir genre into the modern age while changing up some of the basic tropes and staying true to the genre’s spirit. It’s a fun thrill ride that will sneak up on you if you give it a chance.
For screening information, visit the Proof Sheet official website.
