Bret Michaels in A Letter From Death Row DVD
Reviewing Michaels' Pre-Rock of Love Psycho-Thriller Movie Debut
May 22, 2009
Any hardcore fan of reality television has probably had occasion to see Bret Michaels, the bandana wearing front man of pop metal hair band, Poison, starring in VH1’s “Rock of Love." On that show, which began airing on the music channel in 2007, Michaels chooses one woman from among several who have all been vying for his affections. The series ran for three consecutive seasons and, due to its consistently high ratings, rumors ran rampant of a fourth season. In the interim, Michaels and his band scheduled a much anticipated, and long-awaited, summer 2009 tour with two other 80s arena rock acts - - Cheap Trick and Def Leppard.
But television and music endeavors only scratch the surface of all that Michaels has done professionally. In 1998, Bret Michaels starred in A Letter From Death Row, his acting, directorial and screenwriting debut.
A Visual and Psychological Feast
The low-budget film was released through Sheen/Michaels Entertainment, a small production company formed by Bret Michaels and actor Charlie Sheen. In it, Michaels portrays Michael Raine, a rocker convicted of killing his girlfriend, serving a life sentence, and awaiting execution. "...Death Row" is a harrowing tale of suspense and suspicion, involving intricate questions of guilt, lies and truth. Various cinematic conceits both complement and detract from the film's psychological intrigue, giving the movie both weight and visual substance.
At various points in the movie, the camera presents images that are warped and blurred. Colors seem to bleed and ooze. Angles are tilted, and reality appears out-of-focus. At one curious instance in the movie, the film itself appears to deceptively overheat and burn, but the viewer quickly comes to the realization that this is yet another manifestation of Bret Michaels’ filmmaking technique.
A Letter from Death Row deftly reveals a twisted and surprise-filled plot, taking the audience deeply and personally into the mind of a death row inmate. Telling the tale through the POV of Michael Raine lends an air of authenticity to the script, and compels the audience to buy into the protagonist’s version of reality. Adding to the near-cinema verite virtue of the movie is the fact that the prison scenes were filmed on location in the Tennessee State Prison, with real inmates used as extras. At first, it is hard to feel comfortable with this grim movie, observing the then-sleek Michaels make his way through distorted close-ups and disturbing plot developments. But the gritty realism of the film soon seduces and the movie succeeds as a relatively serious effort.
Kristi Gibson, Bret Michaels’ girlfriend at the time, makes an impressive contribution as a doomed stripper/hooker, and a pre-Two and Half Men Charlie Sheen makes an outlandish cameo as a cop. Martin Sheen shows up, as well, to play Raine’s disapproving father, making this movie an all-around family affair. But, Bret Michaels’ performance is the reason to hang around. Coming off as more than just a rocker, Michaels triumphs as a true auteur. Though far from perfect, this movie has it all: murder, sex, intrigue, blood, betrayal, music, laughter, tears. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, the distortion resurfaces, reality winks, and nothing is quite as it seems.
A Letter From Death Row was the first release from the Sheen/Michaels Entertainment production company. The movie runs 94 minutes and was released on DVD on September 30, 2003.
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