Capsule reviews for Aug. 9

Blood

A family of cops is torn apart in this visually striking British procedural that begins with two detectives (Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham) interrogating suspects about the high-profile murder of a teenage girl. Just when they appear to have the case solved, an episode of tragic rage compromises the investigation, and the stepbrothers must hope their father (Brian Cox), a former chief now battling dementia, doesn’t let anything slip. The performances are strong, but this bleak thriller about morality and guilt suffers from a muddled plot that lacks context for the troubled behavior of its characters. The result will leave viewers colder than the windswept coastal landscapes. (Not rated, 92 minutes).

I Give It a Year

Some genre staples are given a delightfully fresh spin in this British romantic comedy that marks the feature directorial debut of Sacha Baron Cohen collaborator Dan Mazer. It follows the first year of marriage between Nat (Rose Byrne) and Josh (Rafe Spall), who are tempted by old flames and new opportunities as they try to defy the prediction of friends and family that their relationship won’t last. Mazer’s script achieves a decent balance between crude and sweet, and the amusing one-liners and sight gags make it easier to overlook the abundant plot contrivances. The big laughs compensate for the lack of a suitable emotional payoff. (Rated R, 97 minutes).

In a World

Comedic actress Lake Bell (What Happens in Vegas) makes a promising directorial debut with this quirky low-budget comedy in which she plays Carol, a fledgling vocal coach who tries to follow in the footsteps of her father (Fred Melamed), who has gained fame and fortune through movie-trailer voiceover work. The movie explores the world of voiceover actors (of which Melamed is one in real life) in amusing if not overly insightful fashion, and it zips along at an agreeable pace to help smooth over some rough spots in Bell’s script. The supporting cast includes Rob Corddry, Eva Longoria, Geena Davis and Demetri Martin. (Rated R, 93 minutes).

Lovelace

Considering the subject matter, this watered-down biopic of porn star Linda Lovelace doesn’t seem nearly edgy enough. The film chronicles the relationship between Lovelace (Amanda Seyfried) and her overbearing mother (Sharon Stone), her marriage to an abusive husband (Peter Sarsgaard) that led to her being cast in the notorious porn film Deep Throat, and her resulting crusade against exploitation. The 1970s period re-creation gives the film an amusing nostalgic boost, and Seyfried’s performance is audacious. Yet the melodramatic script is episodic and unfocused, rarely getting beneath the surface of its protagonist or her plight. The cast includes James Franco, Hank Azaria and Juno Temple. (Rated R, 92 minutes).

Prince Avalanche

Perhaps the most intriguing character in this character-driven drama from director David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express) is the location — a state park near Austin only months after it was nearly destroyed by wildfires. It provides the backdrop for the intimate story of two highway workers (Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch) assigned to a rural stretch of roadway, where the remote setting causes them to ponder relationships past and future. The film’s episodic structure minimalizes the cumulative effect, although it’s nice to see Green return to his low-budget roots. Both lead performances help give the film moments of eccentric charm, even if it’s pretentious as a whole. (Rated R, 94 minutes).