Carolina Caroline

Romances involving partners in love engaged in crime sprees aren’t especially new or original. In fact, sagas of outlaws on the run have been film industry staples for decades, perhaps best exemplified by the legendary “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967). So, considering the prevalence of these films, it takes a lot to make new offerings in this genre stand out and distinguish themselves. That’s where the latest feature from director Adam Carter Rehmeier comes into play. While this release very much follows the typical formula of these pictures, it manages to separate itself from its peers in a number of ways. At the same time, though, it also tips its hat to the aforementioned “Bonnie and Clyde,” as well as to such other crime/outlaw thrillers as “Thelma & Louise” (1991), “The Sugarland Express” (1974) and “The Grifters” (1990). The film follows the transformation of Caroline Daniels (Samara Weaving), who’s stuck in a dead-end filling station job in small town Texas. Her life changes drastically, however, when con artist Oliver Anderson (Kyle Gallner) storms into town and sweeps Caroline off her feet. They launch into a torrid romance while Oliver teaches her the ways of grifting from both practical and psychological standpoints. And, before long, they leave Texas, embarking on a road trip across the Southeast during which she adeptly learns the art of the con from her mentor/lover. Given their success as a duo, they quickly up the ante of the jobs, from pickpocketing and simple obfuscation routines to include identity theft and bank robbery. They use their newly acquired ample funds to adopt a more lavish lifestyle as they make their way (at Caroline’s request) to Charleston, South Carolina, where she hopes to look up her long-estranged mother, Deborah (Kyra Sedgwick). But, when Caroline is left disillusioned by the disastrous meeting between her and her crusty, self-absorbed mom, she rashly decides that she wants to amass enough money as quickly as possible to leave the US...