Love Like Blood. USA 2006. Directed by Steven Bozga

Kevin tries to change to a better man after spending his life stealing cars and boozing around. Kevin has serious conversations with Father Morgan, and after meeting Beth, everything seems to turn better. But Kevin finds out that changing is not that easy when old life keeps following around.

Love Like Blood is a carefully crafted drama with fresh faces and limited budget - but director Steven Bozga really knew what he was up to. Especially the lead actor Thaddeus Schneider and actress Caroline Whitney Smith are the most natural couple in films I've seen in many years, honestly. Schneider and Smith act well, but there are no maneuvres or practiced expressions - or then I just didn't notice them. Sometimes less is more, and Love Like Blood proves it once again with these gems.

There are lots of elements on top you don't see often in low-budget features, like dealing with the religion and beliefs - in a way that Love Like Blood portrays them. Sometimes there are problems with pacing, but I must admit that I expected more action than drama, and that can explain the "problems" as well. When keeping this in mind, Love Like Blood is a welcome piece of independent film, that challenges the viewer to think. This is the story how it really goes in a real life, no sugar-coating but not either drowning in nihilistic world that so many indie new-comers would like to show you.

Technically Bozga and his crew have choosed not to play with fancy camera angles, since they have trusted the story. I can only wish this would be the trend in the independent film / microcinema genre. Wonderful indie rock soundtrack adds up a great mood for the film, and it fits like a glove. Love Like Blood has its minor faults (few supporting actors and before-mentioned pacing) but all in all, it's a true fresh breeze in the world of low-budget independent cinema.