Two Deaths of Henry Baker

The Independent Cinema is a perfect springboard for young directors to show that, despite limited means, they are able to bring ambitious films to life, and that they are filled with the true love of film enthusiasts. In this first film written by Sebastian Pigott and directed by Felipe Mucci, the admittedly simplistic story is at the same time a true homage to the westerns that fed our past but also to the intimate thrillers in which the emphasis is more on the psychological construction of the characters than on the action itself.

The story begins in the late 50s and shows the character of Henry Baker (Gi Bellows) helping his father hide money he has stolen. This first perfectly mastered scene is at the very center of the story and will have many repercussions for Henry Baker. About thirty years later, Henry Baker returns with his son Hank to retrieve the hidden loot and confront his brother Sam Bird (also played by Gil Bellows). This confrontation and its terrible consequences are worth ten years in prison to Henry Baker. Eighteen years later, in 2008, when Henry Baker is released from prison, his son Hank, now an adult, will go against his son and seal a fate that will turn out to be disastrous.

If Two Deaths of Henry Baker turns out to be one of the good surprises of the Austin Film Festival, it is because it benefits not only from a perfectly mastered and original script, but above all because it is based on seasoned actors who have totally invested themselves in this independent film. Gil Bellows (Billy Thomas in the cult series Ally McBeal) gives here one of his best interpretations in a double role and thus adds a certain added value to this film. In the same way the successful photography of Two Deaths of Henry Baker and the use of Steve D'Angelo's music reinforces our immersion in this deep psychological drama reminding us at the same time of some westerns and film noirs of our past.

We can therefore only advise you to discover Two Deaths of Henry Baker on its next video release and look forward to Felipe Mucci's new film. Hopefully it will be given the same care and attention and will be supported by an equally successful cast.

Two Deaths of Henry Baker
Directed by Felipe Mucci
Produced by Hayden Baptiste, Andrew C. Erin, Bonnie Zipursky
Written by Sebastian Pigott
Starring Gil Bellows, Tony Curran , Sebastian Pigott, Dani Kind, Jess Salgueiro, Joe Dinicol
Music by Steve D'Angelo
Cinematography: Adrian Langley
Edited by Adrian Langley
Running time: 94 minutes

Seen on October 29, 2020 (online access Austin Film Festival)

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