There are some emotional punches thrown throughout but the bleakness of the final act makes it difficult to see a silver lining in any of the chaos that preceded it. Betrayal, redemption, and hope are all expressed throughout 5lbs of Pressure. Consequences from actions long in the past and immediate future play out side-by-side as each character tries to get by and make better choices.
Adam, about to complete his parole, returns to his old neighbourhood to start over and finally meet the son he missed growing up. When hearing about Adam’s return, Eli, the brother of the man Adam killed, plans his revenge as his own life falls apart.
There is no clear-cut description of the pains that everyone suffers. Adam lives with guilt and wants to try and rebuild his life, trying to bond with his son. Adam’s drawing skills hint sadly to an alternative life he could have had if only he had made a different decision. Donna, Adam’s ex and mother of his son, can’t get over the past. Eli’s whole world crumbles as he wrestles with taking revenge on Adam. There’s also a whole other story involving drug dealers Leff and his nephew Mike and they navigate the business while also coping with their own past and present demons. Everyone suffers in this story, in this neighbourhood and there is no solution, except maybe, as one character does, to leave.
Gun crime is a secondary factor in the story, with an overlay of new items played over the end while characters continue to use guns to take revenge and settle scores, all with devastating results. If you’re searching for a moral to the overall story, it’s the same as any other crime story; guns never solve anything.
Luke Evans as Adam at the centre of the story is vulnerable, seeking forgiveness while still punishing himself for a mistake that cost him years in prison. Evans plays Adam well, anchoring the entire film, giving space to other characters but being impactful whenever on screen. Other cast members make for passionate and heated scenes, such as Stephanie Leonidas as Donna. In contrast, the stone-cold dealers, Mike and Leff played by Alex Pettyfer and Rory Culkin bring a balance to the story, never being overly emotional.
5lbs of Pressure builds up tension and builds intriguing characters to a devastating climax that feels overly dark and bleak. This is a shame as it feels as though there could have been a more dynamic ending to the story. But overall, a decent, if desperately sad story but not one that would stand out in the crime genre.
5lbs of Pressure streaming on Prime Video 22 May
