Writer-director Phil Blattenberger’s “Laws of Man” is a pulpy throwback genre feature – the kind that’s sure to scratch the nostalgic itch of anyone (like me) who has an affection for movies of its kind. It has a colorful company of characters, deliciously heightened drama, a terrific period-rich setting, and one gloriously gonzo ending that I never saw coming (but probably should have).

Set in 1963 at the Dawn of the Cold War, “Laws of Man” follows two U.S. Marshals stationed out of Carson City who are sent to rural Nevada to serve two warrants. Frank Fenton (Jacob Keohane) is strait-laced and uptight, fully operating by-the-book while concealing his lingering PTSD from World War II. Tommy Morton (Jackson Rathbone) is young and cocky, more prone to bending the rules and not afraid to go into any scenario guns blazing. Together in their black suits, black ties, and black Cadillac, they fit the lawman look to the letter.

Their first warrant is for a backwoods gang leader named Crash Mooncalf (played by the always great Richard Brake). It goes quickly and violently. But it’s their second warrant that proves to be more complicated. They are to arrest Benjamin Bonney (Dermot Mulroney), a psychopathic rancher who along with his three halfwit sons are accused of murdering local landowners whose property Bonney believes is rightfully his.

After driving all day, Frank and Tommy check in to the appropriately named Last Chance Motel to get a night’s rest before approaching the Bonney’s. While there, they meet a number of interesting locals including a friendly barmaid (Kelly Lynn Reiter), the cantankerous sheriff (Graham Greene), and a traveling preacher (Harvey Keitel). But none of these lively characters can prepare the lawmen for what lies ahead.

Frank and Tommy’s bullet-riddled first encounter with the Bonneys evolves into a complicated chess match littered with surprise visits from the FBI, missing evidence, and other unexpected revelations that take the story in a wonderfully bonkers direction. As it plays out Blattenberger has a blast dipping his toes into a number of genres, wrangling them all together into one entertaining and self-aware mash-up. The performances are mostly solid with everyone seemingly in tune with the kind of movie they’re making. And there are loads of great period details from Frank’s love for 7-Up to the government’s Communist anxieties.

While the story is a blast from start to finish, it has some holes that will have you scratching your head if you think about them long enough. And certain characters seem to vanish without a trace whenever the script is done with them. But those feel like quibbles considering how much fun I had with “Laws of Man”. The sure-handed Blattenberger has put together an energetic and flavorful 98 minutes that flew by and left a ridiculous smile plastered across my face. “Laws of Man” releases January 10th in select theaters and on VOD.

VERDICT – 4 STARS