Michelle doesn't believe him but fellow bunker dweller Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.) agrees something did happen to the world outside. However Howard is hiding some secrets.
Despite the name the film is not directly linked to Cloverfield, there are some small things like adverts for Slusho and mention of a couple of other companies named in Cloverfield. But as the PR has suggested it's more a thematic and overall feel that is shared.
Very much a three hander the film shares some thematic qualities as "Right At Your Door" although it's actually not quite as tense and doesn't share the same gut-punch ending.
The majority of the film sees an fascinating exploration of the dynamic of the three main characters whilst meanwhile feeding in the odd thing to raise questions as to what is really happening.
How long has Michelle been in the bunker? Is Howard telling the truth about what happened to his daughter? Is Emmett meant to be in there? Why is that 'Help' message scratched on the inside of the window?
Mary Elizabeth Winstead's strong central performance as the same and capable Michelle, makes you wonder why she isn't a bigger star than she is. It's a performance that moves from vulnerable to questioning to determined and very much helps sell the gear shift the film undergoes in it's final stretch.
John Gallagher Jr. is also give a good performance as Emmett, bringing a earthy quality to the part which helps balance the dynamic between the central three.
A less even performance comes from John Goodman, he brings a strange off putting sense to his Howard, visibly showing awkwardness whilst speaking to the others. This is a man who struggles to relate to people. However he doesn't always convince with some of his character's more violent swings in demeanour.
Director Dan Trachtenberg brings at lot of energy to film mostly set in about four rooms, the opening scenes/credits are very nicely done for example and he ensures there is a real sense of claustrophobia to the shelter.
Now I don't think it's a surprise to find out there are twists in the tale and that the final stretch of the film offers something of a switch-up. When it comes, it's executed very well from a technical standpoint, it's a rush and stands up very well against similar material.
However it's one that I'm not sure totally worked for me, but possibly because I wasn't expecting something quite as significant a gear shift and I do wonder how much of a rewrite the finale received to bring it closer to Cloverfield to suit the title.
So the film is three quarters a slow burn thriller with a nice number of questions to be resolved and a couple of genuinely surprising moments as well as a couple of great character moments. The last quarter is something quite different as things finally spiral out of control and then the last half of that final phase is something else again entirely.
Oh and the film has the best hazmat in history.
And the trailer is kinda awesome;
1 comment:
The film is really solid, right up to the last 15min or so. I actually thought John Goodman's performance was excellent. The ending felt tacked on, which it probably was since the screenplay was origionally another film. It was unnecessary Hollywood fluff added to what felt like a gritty, high quality indie up until then.
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