It comes to mind that the difference between a good movie and a bad one can be determined by one question: Could the movie have more impact with less? Spare Parts, from Slovenic director Damjan Kozole, seems to think that having an interesting premise around human trafficking wouldn't be dramatic enough that he needs to add melodrama at every step.
The film is about young motorcycle racer Rudi, desperate for money, who gets involved with a legendary racer, now human trafficker. On their first load, he offers to pay for the boy to exploit a desperate woman with a sick husband. His morals getting the best of him, he gives her the money, but doesn't have sex with her. The next day, she kills herself in shame. He eventually gets involved with another racer's wife, but what she believes is a one-night stand he seemed to believe was more binding. When her husband leaves her after she gets pregnant, he finds himself also not feeling much attachment either. And then there's his partner, who still morns for his dead wife while fighting off a cancer that he believes he can beat by drinking something so disgusting I won't mention it.
There's no real plot, nor should there be. In fact, the film would have been incredibly engaging if it would have just been about these two men, their unique situations and the job that requires a hostile detachment and certain cruelty. The developments concerning the biker's wife and cancer, not to mention the contrived conflict in the middle that gets fixed way too neatly for my liking.
Director Damjan Kozole doesn't seem to be an amatuer. He does find some great shots and color tones. But what he lacks is faith in his premise to deliver the goods.
All in all, Spare Parts is a sad movie to watch, and not just because of it's content, but because you can see a much better movie inside. Who knows? Maybe a brave filmmaker on our own continent will decide to give it a shot. Now that might be a movie I could get excited about.