It’s easy to see why Turnabout has won so many awards on the film festival circuit. Writer/director E. B. Hughes offers viewers an intriguing danse macabre between two old friends who get together one night after not seeing each other for fifteen years. Billy (George Katt) and Perry (Waylon Payne) have taken very different paths since high school.  Perry is married and owns a successful business. Billy has spent most of his time involved with crime and drugs.

But when Perry decides to help Billy after his suicide attempt, these two end up doing things that Perry has avoided. Because the dialogue and performances come across as so genuine, we become fascinated with the drama unfolding on screen. In fact, some scenes appear so intense that we want to shout, “Don’t do that, Perry!”

And that means Turnabout deserves a film poem, of course.     

Be careful of old friends you choose

for a big night with drugs and booze.  

If strippers are included too,

it could become a time to rue.  

Turnabout tells a dark story

of two men and debauchery.

The actors play their parts so real.

They made me want to squirm and squeal.

Then when a tragedy takes place,

Who is at fault for this disgrace?     

The family man or the boozer?

Who will be the biggest loser?

Suspenseful and well-filmed, I say

and give this film a big HOORAY!  

It’s cautionary and noir-ish.

For thriller fans, it’s just our dish.

If you choose bad company, no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself. --- Aesop, Aesop’s Fables

(Released by Glass House Distribution. Not rated by MPAA. But my inner Church Lady would definitely give Turnabout an “R” for disturbing content, language and sex scenes.)

For more information about Turnabout, go to the IMDb or  Rotten Tomatoes website.