SonOfSalem I watched this movie recently. When it was over I sat in silence, thinking. Although I come from the town where it was shot, I had never watched it before. Parts yes, but never in its entirety. I would recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in making movies and especially those who as yet, are not completely lost to the cold logical grip of cynicism; it may just bring you back from the edge. I continued sitting in silence, wondering what it was about the movie that had so taken the reigns of my thoughts. I replayed the gritty fight scenes in my head, and the beautifully naive love triangle. The awkward line delivery and the wonderfully spiritual woodland scenes and inventive use of locations. And then it hit me; I felt like I had been looking at the sun without realizing where the light was coming from. It was James Bennett.Fatal Deviation lends some insight into a personal journey, of a road chosen and taken that has a far greater resonance than the negative derision that has resounded rather unfairly in my opinion from some of the movies obvious constraints; a journey that has embryonic dreams fuelled by a powerful heart and an "iron will" that refuses to say no. James Bennett hunts his dreams with a rocket launcher. And to be honest, in my opinion, the man should be regarded as an inspiration.Remember your classics? Dickens wrote about people like him. And speaking of classics, "No retreat No Surrender" probably one of the most underrated martial arts movies of all time springs to mind. I doubt if James will ever settle for meagre rations. I think he will always ask for more... It's easy for some to stand in shadows, sum up an individual by their "so called" failures; it's harder for those same to bring those failures into the light; because bound only by fracturing testimony, we know most would crumble beneath even modest scrutiny. In the shadows, the finger never rotates inwards. I know because I lived there for a very long time. I give it an 8/10.Fatal Deviation was filmed in and around Trim Co, Meath.James Bennett has a slew of credited and uncredited work, and is appearing with Johnny Depp and Timothy Hutton in a new movie about "The Lone Ranger".You got dreams? Don't sit there and complain, or mock the decent people. Either get up or shut up. Or perhaps take a page from James... hunt them down with a rocket launcher.

craig-905 Too call this film an Oscar winning performance is an understatement. Bennett has the qualities of a master, more agile than Bruce Lee but with the funny bone of Jackie Chan. From moon kicks to standing on logs he can do it all. From a young age he was trained in one of the finest schools in Europe, the school of Bennett in Trim. His dad was a master of the sport and has always been proud of his son, he is now and he was then. His first and only film "Fatal Deviation" reached box office success with packed out shows in his home town of Trim. Hes his own stunt man and cos of his recklessness his friends dubbed him "Johnny Square Ass". Hes so crazy he even did his own car stunt in which he nearly died, yes hes that mental! So crazy in fact that after the stunt he gets out and laughs, what a guy!!My friends and I have watched this over 50 times minimum and still watch it bi monthly. It is without a doubt my favourite film of all time and a piece of Irish film history, way better than your Michael Collins or any other wannabe Irish movie. If your looking for authenticity well then look no further.This film makes me proud of my country..It makes me sad that the guy down below that gave this piece of brave film making a 1/10, obviously s/he just doesn't get the films plot and insane action. Its probably not Hollywood enough for him but if you can appreciate a film for its roaming shots of rural life, tricky martial art stunts, harrowing love interests and som eof the finest acting this side of the world, well then take a seat, open your eyes and set your mind to stun.(p.s: the priest can still be seen roaming the church grounds but only "after training").

crazymother I don't know many people that have seen this film; however, the few I do know don't seem to like it. I can't understand why this is. It seems to include all the ingredients necessary to make a martial arts masterpiece... insane martial arts moves... intricate plot... sublime acting and Mikey Graham from Irish Boy Band Boyzone.The lead actor/character, James Bennett, is perhaps the most significant martial arts actor since the late great Bruce Lee. He delivers a fantastic acting performance delivering his lines with the eloquence of a Shakespearean actor while delivering his back kicks with the ferocity of a kangaroo. Indeed Bennett's back kick is certainly his most effective weapon which is why he chooses to use it all the time.Another character of note is Bennett's mentor the monk. Every great martial arts film has a mysterious elderly master and fatal deviation is no different. However, it does approach this aspect of the genre in a unique way. The monk, Bennett's master and trainer, doesn't seem to have any training himself. Basically he just gives Bennett Yoga like advice and hides behind trees.Last but certainly not least is the performance of Mikey Graham. Mikey Graham was a member of an Irish boy band called Boyzone which enjoyed major success in Ireland and Britain throughout the late nineties. Always the bride's maid and never the bride, Mikey had always been considered one of the less important members of the band. He was never as popular with the fans as his colleagues were. Fatal Deviation was expected to put Mikey to the forefront... it should have. Playing an extremely brutal gangster was always going to be tough for the clean cut pop star but his stellar performance was comparable with that of Daniel Day Lewis in "Gangs of New York." Look out for his use of "angry eyebrows" to portray how angry he feels.To conclude I feel the film has been unduly criticized, and for true martial arts fans this is a must see.

Sailinship This is a home movie masquerading as an action movie. I couldn't watch it, but some of you may like it. the quality isn't low budget, it's no budget. I scanned through it and there are scenes where the sound is almost totally gone, and many scenes with really really boring stuff going on in what appears to be vacant cheap apartments. It might have a good story, but I guess I'm too spoiled by professionally made movies. How much more can I say about a movie I couldn't watch? If your a friend of these people you'll probably be slamming the "NOT HELPFUL" button now. I understand that everyone wants to be a movie star, but how the people making this could have deluded themselves that anybody besides friends and neighbors might want to watch this is beyond me.