Director: Steven Soderbergh (Magic Mike, Contagion, Traffic, Ocean's Eleven Series)
Writer: Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum, Contagion)
Cast: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Soderbergh has claimed this will be the last film he will direct, and if that's true (please no!!) this is a fine way to go out. Filled with suspense and intrigue, this is a film that has a LOT going on beneath the surface. I went into it knowing very little about it, and I would advise you to do the same if you plan on seeing it. This is another movie that intrigues me as a psychology major, as there is a heavy focus on depression, the drugs that millions take to cope with this disease, and the impact they have on their lives. The tone is eerie and captivating, and as the tension mounted my attention never wandered, which is rare during January, a month usually bereft of high quality cinema. (continues after the jump)
I really liked the soundtrack and cinematography of this film, as they matched the plot advancements stride for stride. Rooney Mara and Jude Law were both excellent, and as things get discovered you watch the characters descend into some pretty disturbing places. I would rate the first half of the film as a solid A, however the second half was not as impressive. In particular I think Zeta-Jones' role was slightly misused. It was still a highly entertaining and gripping climax though, and Soderbergh's calculating, realistic, ominous style kept me wondering what twists and turns were coming next. In turns both charming and chilling, this is a well made puzzler that will keep you interested throughout as you try to fit the pieces together.Rating: B+
Although some of its twists and character relationships could be developed more clearly, the movie still comes through as a surprisingly engrossing thriller with fantastic turns from the whole cast. Nice review Issac.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan, the performances were great
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