Off Piste could have been an exceptional film, with more careful handling.

Sharper, more intelligent narrative and a simpler, more considered story line, with perhaps the IRA, taking the place of the weird sociopath forlorn boyfriend/sidekick thing, would could have seen this film shine.

Indeed, the last quarter of the film is very watchable and hints at what this film could have achieved. Six out of ten from me.

OFF PISTE is an indie drama masquerading as an action thriller. I was suckered into watching it by the video cover and the blurb, which sounded decent: a military guy hides out on the Alps, hunted by those he's hurt in the past. All well and good, except that this is one of those movies made with next to no money, so it just consists of characters chatting and occasionally arguing. The acting is as wooden as it gets, the Irish accents particularly ridiculous, and there's not a single moment of suspense or interest from beginning to end.

Former SAS military soldier Stanley Winters (an excellent and convincing performance by Henry Douthwaite) lives as a recluse in the snowy mountains of France. However, complications ensue after Stanley meets and rescues Niamh O'Brian (well played by the appealingly feisty Lara Lemon),who has a link to Stanley's dark past.

Director/co-writer Glen Kirby relates the gripping story at a steady pace, takes time to develop the characters, makes good use of the beautiful mountainside scenery, generates a good deal of tension in the exciting last third, and smartly explores the themes of guilt, redemption, and forgiveness. Moreover, the tight and thoughtful script by Kirby and Steve Trotter astutely pegs the emotional and psychological pain and damage wrought by doing something bad. Douthwaite and Lemon both do stellar work in their roles, with sound support from Yvonne O'Grady as Stanley's doting blind mother Mary, Jared Fortune as the obsessive Patrick, Paul McGuinness as the mean Logan, and Stephen Don as the gruff Rueben. Antony Meadley's breathtaking widescreen cinematography rates as another substantial asset. Worth a watch.