Review: The Tax Collector

Life in a gang and on the streets is dark and gritty. Amplify that when the money becomes larger and your territory expands. Above that in LA are the cartels and the real power. This is where Creeper ( Shia Lebeouf) and David (Bobby Soto) reside. Working for real power with death and damnation around every corner.

And, as the title might explain, they are the tax collectors for a cartel. Meaning, every little fish has to feed the big fish, if they want to be around to feed again. So creeper and David are constantly moving and threatening as they pick up payments. Creeper lives a healthy life with his own rules, in a full suit that shines like the armor it is. David, is about his family and the pressure of those above him. Fear, anger and supposed love surround him like a mist.

Everything is right in the world, until a dark shadow from the past returns. A snake of a man that leads with death and destruction to claim the territory he believes he lost unjustly. Blood is spilled and heads roll (sometimes literally) as the war commences. Crossing the line is not a term for the man known as Conejo (Jose Conejo Martin) as he and his associates march over his enemies. Put up against a wall, David must call upon his inner demons and supposed friends to get back what was taken and leave a dark mark to warn off future growls in the night.

Truth be told, I would have loved this as a 10 part series. From the beginning Shia was throwing down a real and correct character with so much more to show. Bobby also brought a lot of angst and understanding to his family dynamic and the world of a cartel. I did enjoy this film, especially when it got tense and dark. The action is on point, though I wish there was a lot more of it. (Think Heat). Overall its a good film with rounded characters and definitely worth your VOD dollars if you want something dark and gritty.