James Downey (Michael Rowe, Deadshot from TV’s Arrow) is living a life of straight edge discipline due to growing up with an abusive alcoholic father. Meanwhile, his estranged cousin Danny (Matt Wells, TV’s Designated Survivor) has gone the exact opposite path, drowning himself in a dissolute life of crime, drugs and alcohol. When a death in the family brings them back together once again, only violence and tragedy can happen.
The film opens with James — a police officer — brutalizing a domestic violence suspect. The death of his mother soon brings him back to Newfoundland where he must confront the cycles of addiction, violence and abuse that he thought he escaped.
The punk music of the straight edge movement inspires James throughout the film. This insightful interview breaks down the bands used in the film and the reasons why they tie into each character’s personality.
There’s plenty of talent here too, like Robert Joy (Jim of Desperately Seeking Susan) and Stephen McHattie, who was Hollis Mason in Watchmen and the narrator of BASEketball.
Crown and Anchor is all about how you may never be able to go home again, but you can also never really escape it. Look for it DVD and Digital July 2 from Uncork’d Entertainment. You can learn more about the movie at its official site.
DISCLAIMER: We were sent this film by its PR team, but that has no bearing on our review.
B&S About Movies 
Robert Joy. Oh, hell yes. And homemade mix tapes? Oh, hell yes x 2. This film is on my list . . . you didn’t steer me wrong with Under the Sliver Lake, my friend.
You can also put RJ on my “makes anything and everything watchable” list with Klaus Kinski, Malcolm McDowell, and Richard Lynch. RJ did a turn as grade-school teacher “Mr. Putman” on an episode TV’s Everybody Loves Raymond and dominated that “big nose bastard” in the scene. (Peter Boyle’s words . . . I mean, Frank Barrone’s, not mine).
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