Directed By: Tate Taylor
Written By: Erin Cressida Wilson
Based On The Book By: Paula Hawkins
Cinematography By: Charlotte Bruus Christensen
Editor: Andrew Buckland & Michael McCusker
Original Score By: Danny Elfman
Cast: Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson, Edgar Ramirez, Luke Evans, Alison Janney, Justin Theroux, Laura Prepon, John Norris, Lisa Kudrow
A divorcee becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation that promises to send shockwaves throughout her life.
It seems every year or two there is a bestseller that comes along and is snatched up by Hollywood to become a feature. Change is expected from the page to the screen. Though sometimes in the travels what made the book so exciting is lost in a screen transfer as they are both artistic endeavors, but each has their own rules and guidelines. I personally have never read the book so I can’t say what is different. From watching this film though it doesn’t make me want to go out and read it either. It comes of as a basic Potboiler
This is one of those films where the only reason I would ever recommend watching this movie is the strong layered performance by Emily Blunt. Where the filmmakers seem so determined to illustrate and detail her drinking g and the ways it emotionally affects her and her lifestyle that they drop the ball when it comes to details in the rest of the film. She is what keeps this film from feeling or being basic.
It was an interesting year for her as this was the second film In Which she is the only decent thing in it the other film THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR
The film tantalizes with sex and mystery. Even though for the most part the only person on screen really having any graphic sex is the missing character played by Haley Bennett. Who is attractive and while her character holds many secrets. She never really becomes interesting enough to follow. throughout the movie she just seems to be a victim and continuously punished.
The film seems more set to appeal to more of an suburb l I get middle aged married or marriage mi fed audience as their type of dark dream. The kind of be careful of the dirt that lies below the surface that David Lynch explored on screen with the film BLUE VELVET. Only this film plays more mainstream.
The film tries to be a mystery but pretty soon as it goes along it becomes somewhat predictable who the guilty party is. Though as most of the film tries to throw you off y introducing more and more characters who could be suspects and quickly. Multiplying red herrings. One character who seems vital eventually just is forgotten and disappears. Seeming like the role was only cast for someone recognizable and to have someone who at least seems like they were on the lead's side. That it seems like they are there to liven up the film as if they didn't it would be boring. At least the film is more mystery than thriller. As it seems of there was more of a scary element to all this it would be even more ridiculous. As already the film is heavy handed and seems to have made a parlor game out of making every character look guilty. Which lacks a certain skill as it should be more natural making us question them rather then the film directing us right to these characters.
The film leaves us with an unreliable narrator so that we are never quite sure of what we have just seen or can we believe it. As the film Tries to be another GONE GIRL. The problem is that that film kept you interested yes with some of the twists but also attention to detail and the relateable nature of most of the characters. As well as being an insight into relationships. This film tries to be a character study but then becomes more interested in trying to outsmart and fool the audience more than anything else substantial.
As the film goes along it soon has you in the edge of your seat to find out who is the guilty one. Not because you really care but because finally the film can end.
As it already feels bloated and has too many artistic indulgences that never feel substantial or pay off. Which shows that the director might be trying to hard to make this all feel necessary when it clearly isn't needed except to add some kind of stylistic smoke and mirrors to the illusion he attempts to cast.
Alison Janney comes into the picture as a detective investigating the case. She seems there only to remind the audience of the police procedural aspect of the film and also to give the movie a rocking time clock in which to wrap it up.
The male characters in the movie are all handsome but for the most part seem to hide something underneath and all but one seems to be decent and have depth the others are ugly underneath. Which seems to go for the movie also it looks nice and even good, but once you begin watching and paying attention it becomes apparent how bad it is.
Which I will give the screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson proper respect for as at least this film has strongly written female characters. Even if their primary focus is on men worrying about their approval and keeping them happy.
Though by the end the film feels like ultimately it was trying to turn the table on the audience. As the surprises are backed up somewhat but still feel needless. Or only there because that seems to be a rule of the genre, but didn't need so much
As with the films by director Tate Taylor at this point they all seem more like dress up anchored usually by a strong lead performances or performances that end up making the film worthwhile.
Grade: C-
No comments:
Post a Comment