Cash Only (2015) User Reviews

A gritty and rough crime film in an Albanian community.

[peterp-450-298716 · 6/10 · 13 August 2016]

"Well I'm Elvis, the king of lowlife tenants."

It might not be so horrible and disgusting as "A Serbian Film" (I refuse to watch that one because of the immoralities appearing in it), but because of the finale it might deserve the title "An Albanian Film". Not that this part was so groundbreaking horrible, but it was intense anyway. This indie crime shows the self-destructive process of an accumulating debt and the eternal struggle to repay it. That's something Elvis Martini is facing in everyday life. His first name is somewhat unfortunate in this case, because I'm sure his legendary namesake didn't have that problem. You can't say "Cash Only" is very original, but the movie is painfully realistic and pure.

Elvis Martini (Nickola Shreli) isn't exactly a choirboy either. In the past he was found guilty of insurance fraud after setting his house on fire, with a prison sentence as a result (not to mention an even bigger personal loss). Gambling probably raised the debt as well. The basement area of the building where he rents apartments, is used by some weird guy who's growing lots of marijuana there. And in addition, he also replaces additional rental payments by sleeping with the girlfriend of his best friend. But despite these shortcomings, I felt sorry for this landlord who's fighting against loosing everything. In a desperate way he tries to survive and raise his daughter in a decent manner. The way he's deceived by his tenants, shows that he's not as ruthless. Only kicking out a call-girl and confiscating her possessions, proved to be a gross mistake.

"Cash only" is rough and gray. A sketch of an American slum with an Albanian population seeking to pursue the American dream. Afterwards they come to the conclusion that it's just a daily struggle where the law of the strongest rules. Albanians aren't the most peaceful citizens but value the concepts of honor and keeping a promise. Something Elvis also experiences. However it's sometimes the opposite. Nobody really respects him. It's as if everyone tries to take advantage of other people's desperate situation. That this socially critical picture was replaced subsequently by a violent kidnapping scenario, surprised me somewhat. A grim and excessive ending.

Nickola Shreli (who also co-wrote this film) was extremely convincing. Both as the pitiful landlord, as the energetic and determined father. All in all a laudable role. The other supporting roles are functional but not particularly impressive. Malik Bader played a guest role as the crazy Kush who dwelt in higher spheres in the basement of Elvis. Obviously, this was the most amusing part. Stivi Paskoski took care of the most psychotic role. Despite the cliché elements from other crime films, the shocking (but not too gory) denouement left a reasonable impression.

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Solid crime thriller in familiar area

[stephenw-30180 · 7/10 · 29 September 2017]

I thoroughly enjoyed this film on many levels.

It was gritty and realistic. The film follows an Albanian American landlord dealing with "real life" problems with dead beat tenants. The acting was way above par and the story and narrative fast paced and believable. Style was simple yet very realistic.

I am familiar with the areas this film was shot in and know many Albanians in this community so that brought a cool sense of realism to the film for me as well.

I think the writer and lead actor does a great job as does the cousin and daughter. I would like to see more from this guy.

A hard hitting thriller/Drama that goes by very fast and does not disappoint!

Time well spent!

Solid, but with flaws

[selena-71096 · 6/10 · 11 June 2016]

I have not seen any movies with Nickola Shreli before. He is certainly an overlooked actor. American cinema is in dire need of fresh faces who are not overexposed by media and possess great acting skills. I would suggest any actor to stay away from the limelight of mass media to maintain an appeal and mystery. Now back to the movie. It held my interest as an intelligent movie with a good story almost to the end. There were clearly some flaws in the story when I tough and quick-witted guy would do stupid things such as leave his daughter alone after he got a warning call. The rescue scenes are not believable and leave unanswered questions. How did the dim-witted "rescue" guys figure out the location so fast? The level of violence in the ending scenes was not warranted and added little to the story. As a female, I had to skip those scenes as they are damaging to any psyche. If this movie was intended to be a drama, not a horror film, then they should have stick to the drama genre. But overall this movie is watchable and the story is original.

Good acting, decent plot

[McEwansExported · 18 April 2017]

This is an enjoyable film that is full of interesting, gritty characters that are well cast and acted.

The plot is somewhat familiar, lowlife dad puts daughter's safety in jeopardy, but has some added ingredients, mainly the Detroit setting, that elevates the film and holds the suspense.

There are some pretty real scenes of violent acts which compliments the gritty atmosphere.

Overall this is a hidden gem of a film. I particularly liked the lead actor and will look out for other movies featuring him. His deadpan delivery reflected the lead character's lack of responsibility for his actions until the stakes were raised to the point of no return and he had no choice but to face up to the situation he created for himself.

Everybody has a weakness

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 14 November 2017]

Elvis Martini (Nickola Shreli) is an Albanian immigrant who is not the brightest bulb in the pack. In the opening scene, he burns down his own home for the insurance money and oops, he actually forgets his wife was taking a nap. As a landlord with a daughter, he is in hock and owes money while nearly all of his tenants owe him money. We get to watch the locks get changed, his daughter ask him about Jesus, Elvis having sex, etc etc. and then trying to collect money. It was rather boring watching a bunch of bad people trying to figure out why we are rooting for the half-wit arson? Dialogue not exciting either.

Guide: F-word. sex, brief nudity.

Couldn't watch for more than the first two scenes - pathetic camera action.

[self-username · 1/10 · 31 October 2021]

Whoever did the camera work for this movie ruined what could possibly be a good movie with their pathetic skills, and should never ever get another job holding a camera.

Couldn't watch more than two scenes without being turned off by the shaky camera work and the weird zoom in angles.

An actor to look out for!

[Majikat76 · 8/10 · 14 April 2018]

Cash only is very slow moving at times, but realistic with a gritty punch.

The plot itself is fairly straight forward, but it is actor driven and the main character is played so very naturally, that, with a cultural, criminal element keeps you there to the very end

Hand held camera abuse

[imdbcom-69969 · 4/10 · 15 January 2021]

Story is Ok. Acting is good. But they had to spoil it all with the filming. Like the guys behind the camera is just out of film school and is just carried over beyond recognition by close range hand held camera work. "Look! I am doing an action movie, it got to be shaking and moving in all direction and I gonna shove my lens right into every thing". Ok. So it works for a while and then becomes annoying, then just plain sickening. Too bad.

Gritty gem of a film

[Multicell21 · 10/10 · 21 June 2018]

I have to be honest, I started the movie one late night and had planned on watching the first 15 minutes or so then catch up the next day. Turned out I couldn't turn it off and had to know how everything progressed through this guys story. Following the hardships of this landlord just trying to fly straight after tradegy and raise what is left of his family to the shocking and graphic end. I was rooting for the dude the entire flick, ending was intense! Looking forward to more films from this actor (Nick Shreli) in the future. Now go watch "Cash Only"!

Intelligent.

[benjamin-hoey · 9/10 · 5 June 2016]

This is an intelligent movie that was written to have no end; or, this movie was given an ending that was written for a distinct beginning.

We all strive for perfection. Even when you live around those who constantly make mistakes, you eventually realize that you too make mistakes. And so you are comfortable with doing wrong. Eventually you use the mistakes of others, and the mistakes of yourself to your advantage. But when does that attitude stop? When do you start to live for yourself, and not for others? The death of a loved one? Your death?

To steal from a criminal and to not be afraid only requires the attitude of a person who is comfortable with making mistakes, until they are made to deal with the consequences.

This movie lost a star because there was an ending.

Really compelling watch, great actors. Realism

[chilversedward · 9/10 · 31 January 2021]

I very much enjoyed cash only. Thought the lead was a good actor and one to look out for. As were the rest of the cast. The writer, director and producer all having roles within the movie felt as if it added to the overall realistic depiction of an area it's community. Elvish character while flawed and being the creator of his predicament had me feeling for his plight and the portrayal of a man trying to raise his daughter well despite the shit she he was creating left me empathising. The ending was satisfying and after nearly being sodimised by a Russian gangster and eating alive by vicious dogs it felt like he may be able to make some better choices in life and atone for his tragic mistake that left his daughter without a Mum.