Junction (2024)

Junction (2024). 1h 38m

“Greetings again from the darkness. Actor Bryan Greenbergu0026#39;s (PRIME, 2005) first feature film as writer-director could have been subtitled, u0026quot;those who suffer vs those who profit.u0026quot; Most of us can agree that businesses providing a desired product or service are entitled (not guaranteed) to turn a profit. And on a seemingly unrelated note, most of us can agree that those suffering from addiction deserve and need assistance in breaking the cycle that is destroying their life. The road where these two intersect is when drug companies produce an effective yet addictive product that is prescribed by doctors. The issue arises when profits soar due to the spread of addiction.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story focuses on the Opioid crisis, and evidently, itu0026#39;s a topic that filmmaker Greenberg feels strongly about. He serves up three perspectives so that we better grasp the full reach. Greenberg himself plays Michael, a restaurant owner in desperate need of a refill on his Oxycodone prescription. Ashley Madekwe (u0026quot;Revengeu0026quot;) plays Mary, a doctor whose practice has grown due to her willingness to write these prescriptions. Griffin Dunne (AFTER HOURS, 1985) and Ryan Eggold (u0026quot;The Blacklistu0026quot;) play CEO father Lawrence and ambitious son Jacob, who run one of the drug companies producing and marketing Oxy.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe three-tiered approach works as we see Michael, divorced from Allison (Sophia Bush), is no longer attentive to his work or family, Mary has good intentions but carries the guilt of the drugu0026#39;s effect on her patients, and the heads of the drug company are facing an FDA hearing to determine their level of guilt and damages. Itu0026#39;s a bad day for everyone. Perhaps Greenberg over-complicated the story unnecessarily with some additions like Maryu0026#39;s afternoon delight with the drug rep, Jacobu0026#39;s planned corporate coup over his dear old dad, and Michaelu0026#39;s, umm, digestive issues at his sonu0026#39;s basketball game. Of course, all of these elements are meant to show the progression of cause and effect when it comes to addictive drugs. One subplot that I couldnu0026#39;t make work was that of the doctor having financial troubles with patients lined up for the next prescription. It makes sense that she wants to escape the oxy world, but with her practice booming, why the financial woes?u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFamiliar faces appear throughout, and include Dash Mihok (u0026quot;Ray Donovanu0026quot;), Jamie Chung (u0026quot;The Giftedu0026quot;, married to Greenberg), Josh Peck (THE WACKNESS), Yara Martinez (u0026quot;True Detectiveu0026quot;), Michaela Conlin (u0026quot;Bonesu0026quot;), Hill Harper (u0026quot;CSI:NYu0026quot;), and Dascha Polanco (u0026quot;Orange is the New Blacku0026quot;). The cycle of addictive drugs presents itself as causing money issues, trust issues, personal and marital issues, health issues from addiction, kids that canu0026#39;t count on parents, and political ramifications that lead to corruption. While it has the look and feel of one to stream, the filmu0026#39;s message is quite clear and powerful.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film will be in theaters and on demand on January 26, 2024.”