User reviews

I confess, I couldn't get all the way through this: porn-level acting, script and production values but with zero sex and nudity. That's quite a frustrating two hours, to be honest.

I checked it out because of it taking the title of a Raymond Chandler book of short stories - none of which are here used. Since the film is set in the same genre, in the same period, and very much in the same style, stealing the title could be seen as - at best - audacious, but less generously as outrageous cheek.

It's clear the creators were trying for something better, on a very small budget, and they should be applauded for that, but the end result just really isn't very good at all, with nothing new or interesting to add to an already very well-explored territory.

The acting is terrible, but I would blame for that mainly the director skills. Well, a director has to do several stuff besides guidance of acting performance, and I think other work isn't that bad. The genre is more than clear and the art coherent, the mise-en-scene is sometimes too predictable (mainly the shots), and the dialogs are funny, not that overdone like the acting. This is a film where the people did a lot of things, the main actors wrote and produced, other staff is in secondary roles, so it seems like a heart-project. If you can live with overacting, it is a interesting homage to Film-Noir. PD1: Thinking about it, maybe the overacting (also overstatement of mise en scene with details like CloseUps, tear on cheek, etc) is on purpose, there is people who like it (Jim Carrey, overacts in most of the films, but he can also, as he has shown sometimes, act in another style). Well, in that case, it isn't lack of skills, it's just a style I don't enjoy.

PD2: Funny is also so much people taking negative comments personally, accusing of trolling, manipulation, and other conspiracies. 'common, everybody is free to have an own opinion, and everybody shall decide what to take from them.

If you are looking for Bogie, this is not it. As many have said, the dialogue and the acting is not exactly Oscar material. Still, the performances are solid, occasionally funny, and follows the threads and form of a true Noir.

There are moments when you cannot help but smile at the dialog (or think to yourself - did the screenwriter ever read a Hammett, or Chandler, or heck even Spillane) and chuckle at the acting, but it does draw one into the story, which is sold. You might see some of it coming, and there are lots of clues, but a couple of the twists were well done indeed.

For not having a studio behind it, it is worth an afternoon watch when there is nothing else on TV. Could it be better? Sure, but it could be a lot worse and production quality is as good as any of the B-rolls they released during the classic noir period.

Don't waste your time with this flick. I'm being gracious with 2 stars.

The film tries too hard to be noir and fails miserably. With essentially a "no name" cast, which is not normally a red flag, but in this case it is. This is more a parody of a noir detective film, at least that's the way it comes across. Acting is high school drama class quality... seriously, I really can't single out one good portrayal. The writing is an insult to classic noir, the directing is hamfisted and sophomoric.

The 8,9 and 10 star reviews were probably made by the cast, crew and family members as they are so over-the-top gushing platitudes as to be completely unbelievable.

I'm all for supporting struggling independent film companies, directors, actors, and the like. I salute those folks that are out there fighting the good fight. But, sometimes when you fight, you lose. And this is definitely a lost fight. The film's premise is good. But, that's about it. The film starts off a little bad and proceeds to become excruciatingly lousy. I'm not trying to be hateful or disrespectful towards the filmmakers. They probably put their hearts and souls into this project and I really do salute their efforts. However, in my opinion, nothing really works in this film (except for a few well-lit shots). Nice idea. Failure of a film.

It's such a long time since I've seen such poor acting. What promised to be a Sin City (esque) thriller turned into a wooden, awkward embarrassment. It may have been great after 10 minutes but I'd rather poke pencils into my eyes than have to endure any more.

I am fairly tolerant to poor movies, but this one quickly became unwatchable. The screenplay is ridiculous, the actors all poor. It fails miserably to create the classic "noir" atmosphere of earlier black and white detective flics. I was also irritated by the fact that the film borrows the title of an excellent R. Chandler novel I am reading but has nothing to do with that book, The producer is shamefully trying to get mileage out of a popular author. Spend your time otherwise. Clean the oven or something.

I'm a fan of noir movies, I don't think I missed any of the masterpieces of the 40's and 50's. But I only lasted 15 minutes on this film, it's a real joke about this genre, and not a good one. A wooden performance, with some absolutely embarrassing dialogues. Avoid this so-called noir, better clean the dog's cage, this will give you more satisfaction.

This is thé worst movie I've ever seen. I feel embarrassed for the participants. The acting is absolutely clumsy to the point I don't doubt high schoolers could do better. I don't recognize any of the actors, needless to say. The music and sound-yikes-and the lighting and cinematography are even worse. Raymond Chandler would be appalled. Oh, and the costumes and make-up make wonder about...everything. Truly, this shouldn't appear as an offering on Kanopy! Maybe this is a cult film of some kind, yet I don't think one could get stoned enough to watch more than a minute. Truly - don't do this to yourself, no matter who you are!

P. S. Just looked up to see the wine in the wine glasses in the dinner scene is obviously not even real wine!

Trouble is my Business is an intriguing thriller set in 1947 as PI Roland Drake gets drawn into the mysterious Montemar family's secrets, following meetings with two Montemar sisters, with some Russians and archaeology thrown in to the intriguing mix.

There are a few suspects to the crimes, with some clues a bit on the nose but I really enjoyed it. It's a fun homage to noir cinema, the makers obviously have a lot of love for this genre. I watched it in black and white which I think suits it better.

Okay so I found this movie on YouTube and watched it on FandangoNow. I came here to look it up to see who was in it.

I was surprised to see polarized reviews liking it (it was good) and others calling unwatchable or bad or whatever because it clearly isnt, sue me, I liked it.

Then I looked at who was writing the terrible reviews of this film and I saw they gave 1 star to movies I loved like Black Panther one star to Wonder Woman and on and on just writing so I thought I'd write here and they wrote nothing but bad reviews so I thought. K I'm going to let it be known its a decent fim. Not perfect but fun and very good. especially if you like noir.

The harsh critics that troll these indie movies are misleading and its like they saw a totally different movie than I did and if Id read these 1 star or two star reviews or whatever insults they said about the movie I would have missed a great little movie. No I dont write reviews here like they do so I am non in the movie or suspect just because I wanted to say I liked the movie I just hate seeing lies and insults.

Don't believe these reviews all the time I guess I see they wrote bad reviews of all the movies they saw. Anyway, my two cents.

Don't listen to the trolls. There's plenty of fun to be had in this indie whodunnit. Equal parts Roger Corman, Columbo, and Raymond Chandler with all the fixings. Noir fans will have a good time. If you're looking for big budget slick production, then sure, it's a little scrappy. But I've seen movies with way bigger budgets be way less fun. There's a bit of camp and CGI sheen to the whole thing that actually gives it this dreamy, hypnotic tone. There's a nod and a wink quality to this whole film. The creators clearly know the tropes and enjoy playing with them. This is a loving, low budget homage to a forgotten genre that's actually a blast. Pour yourself a glass of non-wine like in the movie and have a good time.

Yeah, what a load of crap! Fooled me with a jargon of "Neo Noir". You don't have to be that stupid to use some saxophone soundtrack to tell people this film is a NOIR, NOIR, NOIR. The private eye does not have to be always in a jam, down and out in L.A. and couldn't afford the rent and got 30 days pay or out eviction notice.

Jesus, this film just looked so pathetically pretentious and ridiculous. More like adapted from a lousy comic book or a children's book. A horrible fantasy for the brain dead adults. Absurd screenplay, scenarios and plots. Nothing is right. A complete waste of time. Like watched a lousy poor staged play in a theater. Characters are all comic, over-the-top costumes and make up. A missing person case or several murder cases, who cares! Don't forget to pay your 2017 income tax and your property tax before the deadlines, they are more important than wasting your time and money to watch this stupid Neo Noir film.

Genres: Action , Adventure , Crime , Mystery , Thriller, should have added comedy. I like some of the graphics they used was simple but nice on the eyes

The writing is top-notch! The cast is astonishing! The direction - well I don't know how one person can write, star in AND direct all at once but Tom Konkle is clearly a master!

If you're a fan of the Mad Max films you'll love seeing Vernon Wells as the ever-so-slightly corrupt cop. The acting chops that are packaged in the luscious beauty of Brittney Powell is intoxicating. The humanity and humility of the detective played by Tom Konkle is such an unexpected pleasure. And not for nothin' the matriarch Lady Gaga doppelgänger ain't too shabby (3. The rest of the cast are such diverse and fulfilling characters, you'll forget that you are watching actors.

Buy this film. (On Amazon) Rent this film.

You'll thank me.

Those who love the 1940s film noir will appreciate the stylistic acting of the genre. I read the reviews after I watched it and the people who were reviewing obviously are used to watching pornographic movies.

The mood and period were created and story moved along well with a highlight being the dysfunctional family at dinner was well handled and almost was like an Agatha Christie old movie.

The shots on the roof tops were also thought out, and many close ups helped the viewer see the characters internal thoughts.

For a small budget movie Tom Konkle use every trick up his sleeve to replicate the period. Every budding film maker should study this.

This movie is awesome. It was filmed on a shoestring and you won't notice. There are plot twists and suprised and you will love it

This was such a fun movie. I came on there to look stuff up. I had to write a few review thoughts here so hopefully a few people will take a shot like I did. The film s first and foremost fun and true to the genre. The acting and actors are TERRIFIC in their roles. Its tightly directed and the story was genuinely interesting. I like to roll the dice and try something new sometimes and watch a movie Ive never heard of and me and the person I was watching it with both said 'This is actually good. Where'd this come from?" while we were watching. Its got everything a fan of noir could ask for. Worth picking this movie up

I really enjoyed this film. The reviews seem quite polarizing but I guess I'm on the favorable side. It was surprisingly funny and did a great job of paying homage to the genre but also making it it's own and adding to it. A solid indie noir.

This film I simply loved! Brilliant Re-Noir! As this has all the elements of classic noire from the 40s, altered perspective camera angles, striking shadowy visuals, bourbon soaked detective dialogue, the seedy underbelly of the pumping and grinding city. Totally loved this. Definitely has a feel of Vertigo but it also is reminiscent of A touch of evil, though it has an originality all of its own, wonderfully creative, a true gem!

A detective, his office, two femmes fatales, smoke, borsalinos, dialogues in a static car with moving backgrounds, angled camera work and some dramatic extreme close-ups. Trouble is My Business is an impeccably mastered tribute to the noir genre. I loved the composition of shots and the editing style, this guy really studied the masters and gave an original take on the detective/crime movie.

A wonderful tongue-in-cheek homage to film noir! I love this genre and this is well written. Bravo to Mr. Konkle!

Love this throw back to noir films. It really captures the essence of the old-school detective setting. The characters are truly engaging, and you are completely invested in figuring out the mystery behind the case our protagonist is involved in. And the deadpan humor is amazingly well done. I truly love everything about it from the pacing to the art direction. Tom Konkle did a great job bringing this world to life.

I'm guessing the writer/director likes the movie "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" as much or even more than I do. For an indie flick, Trouble's production values are much higher than usual, even impressive, and it's great to discover another homage to the Noir Film Era that lives up to the genre's cynicism, fatalism, and moral ambiguity. Give this one a shot. All the awards well deserved.

What's so impressive about Tom Konkle's homage to 1940's film noir is that he not only writes, directs, and stars with the confidence of a modern-day auteur, but he also manages to pull off an incredibly difficult genre and aesthetic using modern day visual effects on a micro-budget.

The best FX and digital environments, however, can never substitute for a good story. Trouble Is My Business has all the story beats fans of noir crime dramas would hope for but it's really the passion and talent that Konkle possesses in conveying that story that really shines. And appealing to fans of the genre with style and humor is only one measure of that type of storytelling prowess.

The mark of a great director - and what's on display here from Jesse Arnold's and P.J. Gaynard's cinematography to Thomas Chase's and Hayden Clement's score - is Konkle's ability to assemble and lead an excellent team of like-minded artists with true vision and panache.