PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Phil Allocco is an award-winning film writer and director, whose recent film 5lbs of Pressure blends genres of crime, romance, and thriller. The film looks at characters who are violent criminals yet perhaps have the potential to change…but will they? We wanted to ask Mr. Allocco about 5lbs of Pressure, especially how its stars (Luke Evans, Rory Culki, Alex Pettyfer) contributed to the film.
[NOTE: This interview has been edited for basic grammatical and clarity reasons. Care was taken to make sure the intended points were still made.]Interview: ‘5lbs of Pressure’ Director Phil Allocco
PopHorror: Hello, my name is Wade, I write for PopHorror and certain other websites. I live in the middle of nowhere in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that no one ever talks about. We’re here to talk about your movie, which I watched, and I thought it was actually a good movie. If I thought it was bad, I would let you know at some point in the process. So, my first question is: the film incorporates elements of action and thriller genres. How did you approach balancing character-driven storytelling with the need for suspense and excitement?
Phil Allocco: That’s a great question. I think a lot of it is in pacing the film. I came up as an editor, and I think my background in music really helps with pacing. I tried to have it in places where it helped move the story forward but also not feel gratuitously thrown in there. It should feel like a vehicle of the story, expressing the character-driven aspect of what the characters are going through. So, it feels like someone’s walking into a room for a reason. If they’re throwing someone out of the car, it’s working for the same reasons, not just breaking character to put something in. It’s more story-driven.
PopHorror: What inspired you to tell the story and delve into themes of forgiveness, redemption, and violence?
Phil Allocco: I grew up in a world like this and dealt with people who have been in these situations. I struggled with my own anger or empathy, trying to understand or put it into context. Writing about it was cathartic for me. It’s not a true story, but I did deal with similar kinds of things.
PopHorror: Some people have abusive parents or maybe verbally abusive parents, and that seems to be a common theme in movies like this.
Phil Allocco: I knew people on both sides of a gun. I’m drawn to stories that explore what it means to be human. I like those kinds of stories that put ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, in a city where people are living between the cracks of a society that doesn’t work for them.
The Character Arcs of 5lbs of Pressure
PopHorror: How did you approach balancing the character arcs of Adam and Mike, considering their divergent paths and intertwining destinies?
Phil Allocco: I kept reminding myself to let the characters do what they say they’re gonna do. Don’t overwrite or try to craft them into something else. You kind of have to get into the heads of the characters when you’re writing them, and they might do things that the writer might not. It’s fun to get in the head of them, and that carries over when working with actors on set. By the time you’re doing certain scenes, you’re really getting to another level of the character.
PopHorror: What sort of challenges were there in portraying the complexities of these family relationships with the backdrop of characters having troubled pasts?
Phil Allocco: One challenge was making characters unlikable, who have done things that maybe no one will ever forgive or accept. Bringing empathy to those characters is crucial. Luke does an amazing job with Adam, making us believe he’s worthy of redemption.
PopHorror: That character seems relatively warm-hearted, unlike the other characters who are hard-edged.
Phil Allocco: Yeah, like Leff. After a confrontational scene, he breaks down and cries, showing vulnerability behind the tough facade. That wasn’t written in the script; it was something the actor brought to the scene. Rory Culkin brought empathy to Mike, which I loved.
Sustained Tension
PopHorror: The tension between Adam and the brother of the youth he killed seems pivotal. How did you sustain that tension throughout the film?
Phil Allocco: You start with the writing, building slowly to make it believable. Eli blames Adam for many things, directing all his anger at him. It was important for the audience to see what Eli is going through and how it builds to extreme points.
PopHorror: Luke Evans and Rory Culkin were able to bring these nuanced characters to life. How did they tap into that?
Phil Allocco: They have amazing talent and understanding of the characters. By the time you’re on set, you’ve talked about it, and they bring so much to it. They understand these characters.
PopHorror: The setting plays a significant role in the atmosphere of the film. How did you use the location to enhance storytelling and amplify the themes?
Broken City
Phil Allocco: The broken city represents the characters living between the cracks of society. Everything is an obstacle; nothing is designed to help them.
PopHorror: Well, I guess that was the last question. I know you’ve got other interviews lined up. So, I’d like to thank you for your time.
Phil Allocco: It’s great talking to you, and I appreciate you watching the film.
We’d like to thank Phil Allocco for doing this interview, and feel free to check out 5lbs of Pressure when you get a chance. It’s available now to rent and own on Amazon Prime Video.
