FACE LIFT*

Screenplay by Randy Flagg

Gripping actioner with moments of familial drama and a terrific concept about face-switching could connect with the masses. Smart script has cop Leo Walsh receiving a face-transplant of his worst enemy, Abel Caine, the psycho who killed his son, in order to infiltrate a downtown jail as Caine and prevent a dirty bomb set to go off somewhere in Los Angeles. The real Caine escapes from a state penitentiary, acquires Leo Walsh’s face, and proceeds to usurp his life. Walsh, with Caine’s face, busts out of an impenetrable prison cell, stops Caine from killing his unsuspecting family, and reclaims his identity. In the end, the cop wins but script hints it might be the psychotic Caine who wears Walsh’s face. Engaging, huge in scope, clever concept is bolstered by brawny writing. Emily Walsh is a colonic technician still grieving the loss of their son who realizes her husband is not really her husband. Promiscuous teenage daughter Talley joins a Latino street gang, desperately needs eldering, only to receive the worst possible guidance from the lunatic masquerading as her Dad. It’s Walsh’s family portrait that stands out, just as the marital battle scenes elevated True Fibs. We should be all over this for our directors looking for a fine piece of action.