Capsule reviews for Feb. 17

Devil’s Peak

A strong cast lends credibility to some otherwise formulaic proceedings in this backwoods crime thriller from director Ben Young (Extinction) that offsets any meaningful intrigue with an abundance of narrative cliches. Billy Bob Thornton embodies toxic masculinity as Charlie, a meth dealer and ruthless patriarch of an Appalachian crime family who resists the attempts of his brooding son (Hopper Penn) to escape their cycle of violence and run away with his girlfriend (Katelyn Nacon). Eventually, a testosterone-fueled showdown must determine the future for their family, including Charlie’s beleaguered ex-wife (Robin Wright). Despite some evocative visuals and intriguing character dynamics, the film predictably covers familiar territory. (Rated R, 93 minutes).

Ambition surpasses execution in this mildly provocative yet uneven thriller in which a worthwhile examination of corruption and bias in the American political system is watered down by manufactured suspense and wacky conspiracy theories. Femi (Brandon Victor Dixon) is a number-cruncher for a political action committee supporting a progressive presidential candidate (Orlando Jones). But when he discovers a cryptic and disturbing pattern of outside donations, Femi and a blogger (Thomas Sadoski) uncover something more sinister that could threaten his own family. Dixon’s compelling performance is overshadowed by a series of progressively far-fetched plot twists that compromise underlying messages about campaign finance loopholes and socioeconomic inequality. (Rated R, 122 minutes).

Heart of a Champion

Any heartfelt vibes suggested by the title of this wholesome equestrian drama become lost amid a parade of coming-of-age tropes. More befitting the Hallmark Channel than the big screen, the story follows teenager Charlie (Yaya Gosselin), who’s struggling to focus in school after her parents’ recent divorce. Her outlook brightens after bonding with a stray horse rescued by a family friend (Casper Van Dien), who introduces her to the youth rodeo scene despite hesitation from her mother (Jojo Marie). Youngsters might identify with Charlie, but the film lacks originality from the moment she saddles up, from its stereotypical supporting characters to its underdog competition climax. (Rated PG, 86 minutes).

Of an Age

Beneath its modest and unassuming surface, this richly textured Australian romantic drama provides a tender yet honest examination of first loves and laws of attraction that should resonate beyond the LGBTQ demographic. It’s set in 1999, when an introverted teenage dancer (Elias Anton) experiences a sexual awakening after meeting the older brother (Thom Green) of his dance partner (Hattie Hook), which causes friction while leaving an indelible mark. Several years later, both men are given a chance to reconcile those feelings as adults. As it avoids cheap sentimentality, the heartfelt screenplay by director Goran Stolevski (You Won’t Be Alone) finds poignancy in its vivid intimacy. (Rated R, 99 minutes).

Return to Seoul

Deliberately paced yet quietly powerful, this bittersweet French-Korean drama finds universal resonance in an adoptee’s quest for fulfillment and cultural identity. After living in Paris with her adopted family into her twenties, Freddie (Park Ji-min) decides to seek out her birth parents. Some research brings her to Seoul, where the anticipated reunion doesn’t go as planned, leaving Freddie feeling more isolated and triggering a downward spiral of reckless and impulsive behavior. The uneven, multilingual screenplay by director Davy Chou (Diamond Island) gains emotional traction thanks primarily to a deeply felt portrayal by newcomer Park, who infuses a fragile trainwreck of a character with hard-earned sympathy. (Rated R, 117 minutes).