I have to agree with another reviewer on here. This one deserves much more attention than it received. It's not often that one gets surprised by a local offering and I suspect for some viewers it may even be a problem when it happens!

I remember watching DOUBLE ECHO and feeling like I was being treated like an adult. It's something that happens way too little nowadays, of course internationally too.

Although the characters are caught up in the events of a modern noir, not to mention a South African based one, they weren't stock figurines, the circumstances and pay-off weren't predictable and even the ending ... But no spoilers here. Suspenseful and great storytelling! And those actors were atypical and well worth watching.

I wish the local film industry would take more chances and treat us with more products that are less cookie-cutter and throw up some surprises.

Disgraced ex-cop Paul Mullen (a solid performance by Brandon Auret) gets a job working as a chauffeur for mean and overbearing rich cripple Bernard Russell (nicely played by Graham Clarke). Paul has to use his skills as a former cop after Russell's daughter Lindsey (an appealingly spunky portrayal by Anja Taljaard) gets kidnapped.

While director William Collinson does a commendable job of fleshing out the characters, he alas lets the story unfold at a plodding pace and fails to generate much in the way of any essential tension or narrative momentum. Fortunately, we've got the smoldering presence of foxy brunette Amalia Uys as Russell's hot to trot girlfriend Michelle to keep things watchable, plus there a couple of decent twists towards the end. A strictly passable diversion.