FALSE POSITIVE (2021)

 

Directed By: John Lee Written By: John Lee & Ilana Glazer  Story By: John Lee & Alissa Nutting  Cinematography: Pawel Pogorzelski Editor: Jon Philpot 

Cast: Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, Pierce Brosnan, Gretchen Mol, Sophia Bush, Josh Hamilton, Sabina Godecki, Zainab Juh 

As if getting pregnant weren't complicated enough, Lucy sets out to uncover the unsettling truth about her fertility doctor.

There seemed to be a trend in cinema. Where a film labels itself a horror and tries to sell itself as one but, in reality, it is more a drama with thriller elements that might get violent. So it labels itself something else. 

Whereas once you watch it, it feels like it is selling the audience false goods hoping they will come around, but the films are never quite crafty enough to win the audience over.

Especially when a film is familiar with the story. This one Might be seen as a more modern rethinking of ROSEMARY’S BABY though with a different kind of theme and ending but similar enough. luckily this film carved out enough of its own identity to stand on its own two feet.

The film keeps the audience at arm's length and feels more clinical throughout, but then wants us to feel and identify with a character we never really got close enough to or learned enough about other than the basics.

The film Also instead of keeping us guessing. Give up answers way too soon. As it tries to keep us guessing still but is more middle ground once it offers up reveals. That in its Own way cheats itself but is understandable that it doesn’t want to copy and paste the whole is it real? Is it all in her head? Cliche 

This is one of those films that was so close to making it through with its Premise but falls short as it nears the finish line. As it gets more interesting the more outrageous it gets. A small before feels safe though at least it feels like it has some things to say 

The film has the bones of a sturdy and good movie but the follow-through unfortunately isn't as strong. No matter how assured it believes itself to be.

The most memorable character ends up being the nurse played by Gretchen Mol. Who is in the film just enough to intrigue and make you uncomfortable but also the more you learn and see her the more you want to know about her

Creepy but tries to set itself apart from what inspires it by trying to tie in modern issues but leaves them by the wayside when it comes to its third act and explanation though in that sale act then tries to become surreal.

One interesting aspect is brought up as well as the ever-annoying line and blame of mommy brain

This feels like a film where the filmmakers wanted to say something to go along with their thriller. Which works but also feels a bit out of place or too on the nose. It also takes itself seriously while seeming to be entranced with itself that it forgets the audience. As it comes off as smug

Grade: D