I don't know the film. But the main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that psychiatrists can prescribe medication. But don't worry, most people don't know the difference.

I thought that Lance Henriksen's performance was pretty good, actually, but he didn't have a lot to work with. The plot itself was fairly mundane for a time-travel plot, and within a few minutes of the first conversation between Lathrop Walker's character and Henrikson's, I could see the "twist" at the end of the movie.

I didn't stay for the Q & A out of fear of asking some very bitchy questions, but my fear is that this film will get praised by everyone that saw it because it's "local", and that this is the sort of "Seattle film" that we're sending out to the rest of the world as our best work...

Lance Henriksen, really? As bad as it sounds now I want to see it. Probably not as great as Savage Dawn, though.

I'll take your word for it that Lathrop Walker is a decent actor. He was pretty awful in The Penitent Man, and I was sad that this was supposed to be some great talent coming out of Seattle.

Isn't that Waxie Moon in that photo? I know that nose.

There were some fine local shorts at SIFF this year.

As well as short films.

To: Brendan
Are you one of the Disgruntled Filmmakers from Seattle, to describe the Penitent Man, like this.?
You must be. It takes a certain intelligence to understand the message in the movie, but
once you do, you will appreciate it. Lance Henriksen offered a superb performance as well
as the local actors.
It does create a stir; people are still talking about it. While we can freely express our
views, is it really necessary to go to the length you did in undermining this talented young
director?
I dont know how old you are. Is it possible that more than 23?

Whoa whoa whoa gastonsmovies, hold on there. Did you see the Penitent Man? It was horrible. I mean just horrible. I too blew out before the Q&A, as did over half the audience at the 4pm Monday Egyptian showing. Henrikson was the least bad actor in this dudbomb.

At our showing, the director came out beforehand and said "this movie isn't for everyone" - probably based on reactions from the weekend premiere. When the director/writer/producer warns you that you won't like the movie, LISTEN TO HIM.

I wish I had been warned about how bad this movie was before I went, not 30 seconds before it started.

This was a truly horrible movie that earned the lowest possible rating from me and everyone who was unfortunate enough to see the film with me. The premise is boring, the acting hilariously off, and the writing is something you might expect from an overindulged, undertalented third grade whose parents had sent him to a summer film camp. I would like to know more about how this crap film got funding, not to speak of a slot in the film festival. Is the "local" category really that uncompetitive?

Never have I ever been driven from a theater by a film in my life...until now. Yes it was horrible and insulting. His whole point was to see if a feature film could be built around a single conversation at it's core. Well, yes but not by this new director.

I was the first to write a scathing (but technical) review of it on SIFF's website being a film maker myself. But I was a bit surprised that the Director, Nicolas Geyney himself, found me on facebook and fired back...accusing me of being a bitter Seattle Film maker.

No...this is a film town, and a SCI/FI town and the bar here is really high for the SCI/FI Genre. He further stated that "most Seattle Film makers over 40 who haven't done anything make the mistake of doing a small feature without a star in it." Yet Linas, who made backwards said during Q&A "too many film makers write movies around a star as it's only draw." The star system is over Nicolas. I'm glad you made your debut and that you filmed it here but I'm sticking to my guns.

Don't get me wrong, Lance Henricksen is Amazing and one of my favorite actors. His voice nearly rivals that of James Earl Jones. But he was way too big for this film and buried his co-star. I was pretty mad - all that money, gear and resources and didn't know what to do with it. Damn it!!

THE SEATTLE STRANGER AND THE SEATTLE TIMES SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES,
but not The Penitent Man!
I was under the impression that movie critics (even in the US) has a role to fulfill; that is
to inform the potential viewers of the positive and negative findings about the film.
Obviously, it is not the case with the SEATTLE STRANGER.
Originally, I was just curious to see the opinion about The Penitent Man. (My friends and I
happened to like it, very much.) I was stunned to see the title, I was shocked to read the
the personal attacks on the director of the movie... made by the reporters of the STRANGER; Brendan Kiley, Paul Constant, Dan Savage and their appointees.
Well, I am only here on an assignment not related to the movie business, but I am an avid
movie goer. Wherever I travel, I don't miss an opportunity to watch a few films. Since I am
here until the 5th of June, my friends picked a few movies from Siff. One of them was The Penitent Man. To see this movie stepped on, the director being attacked on every level and every forum; caused my suspicion to arise and let my profession step in. I smelled conspiracy and I found one. I emailed the director, but he did not know any of these reporters from
earlier times. So I had to find the common denominator between the Strangers's reporters
and the director of this movie. After exchanging a few emails, the answer is clear. A reporter
from the Seattle Times- Mark Rahner is holding personal grudges against the director of The
Penitent Man. In an email he threatens to use his position with the Seattle Times to harm
the director's career. It is not bad for first attempt; his buddies from the Stranger do the job
for him...just it's an overkill, and as such, it is not too difficult to discover.
Well, my name is Gaston Giraud and I have to leave now. Will be back for the libel suit, though.

I'm not associated with any of those people. I was never "appointed" by anyone at the Stranger. (I *have* been disappointed by Stranger staffers before...) And I think it stunk to high heaven.

Oh for the love of God. Thank you, gastonsmovies, you are obviously one of those rare intelligent movielovers. Brenden Kiley is clearly a bit of a hack. I don't get why someone would not see the coolth in this movie. It was the best SIFF film I've seen. Oh, did we already cover the whole fucking with time in Back to the Future? Well, I sure am glad to hear that we're not allowed to repeat any themes from movies. You really should get to picking apart Goodfellas for their mafia theme...I mean, didn't we already cover that in the Godfather? Yikes. The actors were excellent, the whole movie really makes one ponder it all, and you all really should have stayed for the Q and A, which I did...it was definitely rewarding. I implore the makers of this film if they're reading this...don't listen to these ridiculous, completely unconstructive criticisms.

Movie sucked Dick and so does Nicholas .... u should be ashamed to call Urself a director. Producer. And whatever else u take credit for. U use people and their good nature to make ur films that blow more chunks then a prom queen nite before rehearsals. Do Urself a favor and stick to the classics.

Fuck you Nicholas Geyney. Not only do you make Seattle look bad with you're untalented shit, you make the entire film industry look bad. Please don't make anymore movies, please, please. I did a little research and found a copy of "the falling" which was (oh my god) awful. Do you have any respect for talented artists? How do you get funding? What did you learn at USC? Oh and fuck USC for even accepting you, I don't understand. Honestly, I have never been more upset after watching a terrible movie. Pacing - horrible, editing - horrible, script - HORRIBLE, directing - HORRIBLE!!!... You're arrogance is disgusting. I really don't know how to emphasize any harder that you NEED to stop making movies. I guess I can give you some props for producing this terd because somehow you raised money for this but then I can't give you props because you produced this, straight shit. This is not a film, it is not a movie, it is an extra student film that could have been shot in a fucking hour. I just don't want to stop writing because I can't stress enough how bad of a filmmaker you are. I hate that I even have to call you a filmmaker because you are not one. Not at all. You are obviously an insecure fat wannabe trying to make up for a shitty high school experience -- NOBODY CARES! GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!

Brenden Kiley, You are an idiot. You obviously are too young to know true Science Fiction, even if it slapped you across the face. Just because something is vague, doesn't mean it isn't good. I've seen the movie and found it very interesting. Of course some one who did something erroneous to these proportions would try to fix it even if he knows it won't work. Also, the movie says psychologist right in it. Obviously you skimmed through the movie to make your pointless critique. Critics in my viewpoint are pointless braggarts with no real skills, you are too lame to get a real job that provides a real service, but you have a biting repertoire of insults in your primordial mind with no where to go. So, some butt munch editor says, "Hey, why not be a critic?" And you say, "It beats real work, why not?" Then we have the displeasure of reading your rubbish. All I wanted to find was some information on the origins of this story, because I read a similar story published decades ago, and thought they may be connected some how. Instead I get your tom foolery. After reading most of the other comments it seems clear to me to educate you on what us non-film makers think, the ones that DON'T watch Snookie. The above review could not have been made by someone over 15 could it? Look, just because you don't understand it, doesn't mean it isn't good. In fact, the theory of wormholes being everywhere to simply be harvested is not new. Actually Isaac Asimov wrote of this on at least one occasion. Therefore, this story rivals that of Asimov. Of course anyone under a certain age whom think that Harry Potter was an intelligent story, well, I guess you wouldn't understand. Before you go writing one-sided critique which is totally bias and ignores the facts, I suggest you read more more more. Also, the film makers could read some more, because honestly, the tripe that has come off the reel from Hollywood in the past 5 to 7 years is mind numbingly stupid. Also, you youngsters think it's all original? HA! All the movies you are raving about now are RE-MAKES!!! So much for your artistic ability. But, The Penitent Man, though admittedly deep and for many hard to understand, touches the heart of the imaginative intelligent true Science/Science Fiction lover. So, as Forest Gump would say, "That's all I have to say about that."

I just finished watching The Penitent Man on a recommendation by my son who thought it was the best time travel movie he'd seen. Of course after seeing it I wanted to check on line about it...what a bunch of snarky comments. It appears this was a low budget film, but everybody starts someplace, but I enjoyed the film and the concept. Now I'm watching it again (on DVD) with the commentary. I love the passion of artists with a concept and a dream that run with it. The world needs more of them. So shame on you who only like to tear it down with your rabid words. *sigh*

I just finished watching The Penitent Man on a recommendation by my son who thought it was the best time travel movie concept he'd seen. (I do that sometimes, to see where my son"s head is at and it gives us common ground to talk). Of course after seeing it I wanted to check on line about it to see who the actors were, when and where it was made, etc....but what a mean article and bunch of snarky comments. It appears this was probably a lower budget indy film, but everybody starts someplace, and personally I like the indy stuff so much more than the big studio films, especially when they manage to still entertain and tell their story with budget and time constraints but still maintaining their artistic integrity. But personally I enjoyed the film and the concept. Now I'm watching it again (on DVD) with the commentary (I love when that's added to a DVD, it sometimes helps me to understand the concept and intent better and often makes me enjoy the film even more - so thank you for that). I love the passion of artists with a concept and a dream that run with it and share it with the rest of us. The world needs more of them. So shame on you who only like to tear it down with your rabid words. *sigh* Not necessarily the best film I've ever seen, but I liked it.

I'm not sure whether you missed the concept or if you are a person who just enjoys the shoot 'em up, chase 'em around time travel movies like the Terminator series. Perhaps you think that all time travel movies need to follow that same formula. I also like those movies, however I can appreciate the style of this movie also.

I think that The Penitent Man was one of the better time travel movies out there.

Your review is your opinion. My opinion is that your opinion of this movie is something you should be ashamed of.

This movie was especially good in one point: The concept of time travel itself would be more earth shattering than any of the wild chase scenes or giraffe releases that other writers seem to equate time travel to.

Old guy? Geez much more an actor than the Director, Writer and Producer of the movie. Do better.

Hahahaha - WOW…I just happened over to this page looking for something else and found this article again and people are still blasting this movie for how bad it was!!

@Who – I know it's you Geyney, ya damn poser. I've viewed all these posts and you've made several of them under other names - especially telling is the one with the retarded comment "how old are you 40?" I know that's you because that's what you asked me on FB. You will never live that down, EVER.

Ya know, I wouldn't have cared if Lance Hendrickson, a SCI/Horror Legend, wasn't in it. And how dare you, HOW DARE YOU write 'Terminator' in the same sentence while referring to this steaming pile of shit. Now I want to be a film critic, just so I can chase after you until you can make something that doesn't suck. No one is above the art.