City of Tiny Lights (2017)

"Melody" hires down-market PI Tommy when her roommate fails to come home. He quickly finds out that there's more to this case than a missing prostitute -- an Islamic center driven to action by drugs in the neighborhood, American feds, and real estate development all play a part. Meanwhile, a flame from his past returns to town, and the pain of an old wound reawakens.

Riz Ahmed stars, which is why I watched it. He's really good, but the story is kind of all over the place -- lots of moving pieces in service of a tired plot. Also, the camera effects felt straight from '80s movies, when they had to convey "that dude's HIIIIIIGH" by bouncing the camera and smearing the visuals.

C