It's a credit to director Henry Alex Rubin and writer Andrew Stern that their picture Disconnect remains exciting for the duration. Some terrific performances go a long way toward relieving some of the burden. Suffice to say, the film works exceedingly well during the build-ups, riding a similar wave to ensemble offerings such as Crash and Syriana.
 
There are three stories, yet only one of them ends up being properly resolved. The weakest of this trio features television reporter Nina Dunham (Andrea Riseborough) gaining the trust of a young male sex worker so she can broadcast his story. Although superbly played by Riseborough, this strand doesn't link up very well with the others. Cindy Hull (Paula Patton) uses an on-line chat site to help her cope with the loss of a child. When her husband Derek (Alexander Skarsgard) discovers they have an empty back account caused by internet identity fraud, he's determined to track down the person responsible. The third and most tragic narrative finds student Ben Boyd (Jonah Bobo) corresponding with someone from his school via social media. It turns out that two pranksters are manipulating him.
 
As closing time approaches, Rubin relaxes his grip. That's a shame because with a little rewriting he could have a classic in the making. However, taut pacing from editors Lee Percy and Kevin Tent remains on-guard while the plot thickens.
 
Cinematographer Ken Seng allows the digital Red Epic camera to capture the domestic patina of situations without Hollywood lighting getting in the way. A down and dirty look for Disconnect perfectly complements the everyday quality of pungent sunlight.
 
Overall, Disconnect acts as a reminder that developing trust with someone either face-to-face or through a computer can go too far when impulse or desire takes over. That message should have global resonance.

(Released by LD Entertainment and rated "R" for sexual content, language, violence and drug use -- some involving teens.)