The Gift

“The Gift” – a movie review by Tony Baksa 8/16/2015

Sun Rating – 2 Suns

                                                         

A good mystery is difficult to pull off these days.  As a collective movie going audience, we’ve seen it all. We are all too familiar with the mechanizations that propel a mystery. So, there’s nothing new under the sun. Well, once in a while there is. “Gone Girl” is a recent example of surprise twists and turns.  “The Gift” a new mystery seems to be reaching for this same effect. After all, isn’t that the purpose of a good suspense, to catch us unawares? Hitchcock was a master at this.

Produced, written and directed by Joel Edgerton “The Gift” almost succeeds. Edgerton does a fine job creating truly creepy suspense. The tone is realistic with subtle performances by Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall. Especially good is director Edgerton in a major role. He plays Gordo, a sad loner who runs into an old high school classmate, Simon (Bateman) and his wife, Robyn (Hall) in a home goods store. They have just relocated back to Bateman’s hometown where he has been given a high powered new job with all the trimmings – big money, perks and a glorious new house. It is apparent that Gordo – known as Weirdo back in high school, is Simon’s polar opposite.

Gordo insinuates himself into the couples lives by systematically giving them gifts – leaving them at their door or at work or just showing up unannounced. He especially has this habit of visiting while Simon is at work and Robyn is home alone. We begin to see why Gordo was called Weirdo twenty-seven years ago. This goes on for much of the movie with bits and pieces slowly being revealed about the true nature of the men’s long ago “friendship”.  Raising the bar a bit for this genre are themes of forgiveness, nostalgia and trust.

However, when the big reveal comes, it is such a letdown. It hardly seems worthy enough for what preceded it. Up until this point, “The Gift” – which actually refers to three final gifts, is a taut and riveting thriller. The performances are top notch. But that darn reveal doesn’t live up to all the fuss - plus it’s rather offensive and not in a good horror movie way. Perhaps if it were renamed “Much Ado About Nothing” audiences might feel less let down.

Without giving it away, the villain’s motivation which is really what “The Gift” is all about is weak and illogical. I just didn’t buy it. It’s unfortunate. This could have easily been fixed by a very minor rewrite. That beautifully chilling last shot as Gordo fades out of frame in a blur would have carried such weight. I would wager that with a rewrite, the film’s ending would have reached classic stature in years to come.

It doesn’t help a mystery, when half way through the plotting, too much is telegraphed. The guessing game shouldn’t be this easy.  I also had problems with plot points. There are too many holes in the script. These contrivances get in the way. Edgerton sacrifices believability for plot manipulation. He has a story to tell and he’ll be damned if plausibility hampers his task.

I will say this, however, Joel Edgerton is a good actor and a promising film maker. Maybe he’ll get it right next time out.


http://www.thesunnews.net/scene/201-'The_Gift_is_one_that_deserves_to_be_returned.html

Mr. Holmes

Mr. Holmes Surprises

                                       

Mr. Holmes – a movie review by Tony Baksa 7/26/2015

Rating – 4 Suns

Summertime moving going can present problems for the serious cinephile.  With the abundance of sci-fi and superhero blockbusters, the serious minded film goer must wait out the summer for the fall and winter explosion of erudite offerings. Well, hidden in the pile of populous bill of fare is a movie that seems so out of place for this time of year – thankfully so. I admire the usual bombastic summer fun at the movies but “Mr. Holmes” is a welcome relief from the noise.

Sherlock Holmes has to be one of the most filmed literary characters ever. However, it seems, we never tire of him. He has been portrayed in diverse ways by many fine actors. One of our finest actors working today has now taken the old sleuth on. In “Mr. Holmes” the prolific Ian McKellen (Harry Potter & Hobbit movies) presents Sherlock as you have never seen him. In retirement, battling serious health and aging issues, Holmes is haunted by his last case which if not resolved professionally has never been resolved emotionally. It doesn’t help that his memory or lack thereof, has become his enemy. With dignity to spare, McKellen portrays a proud, realistic and compassionate man at the end of his days trying to make sense of it all.

The case in point is a fascinating one involving a young married couple’s tragedy, marital unrest, mysterious strangers and psychic forces. This complex scenario stirs in parallel plots involving a concerned house keeper (Laura Linney) and her brilliant young son (Milo Parker), a Japanese admirer (Hiroyuki Sanada) and bee keeping. Parallel lines meet at the end, of course, as all good mysteries demand. It’s the getting there that makes or breaks a good mystery.

“Mr. Holmes is a warm, wise and wonderful film based on the book “A Slight Trick of the Mind” by Mitch Cullen.  Moving at a pace that should work against interest, director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Twilight Saga) wisely chooses a languid momentum to mirror Sherlock’s elderly reveries. McKellen gives an Oscar worthy performance with unblinking honesty as a man facing the end of his remarkable life. Laura Linney is solid as always. The miracle here is 12 year old Milo Parker as Holmes’ young protégé. His strong performance has depth and uncanny understanding for someone so young. We are seeing hints of what Sherlock Holmes might have been like as a boy. The relationship is a classic one between an old man and a young boy. It is the heart of the movie.

Set in rural Sussex, England, we are treated to lovely misty pastel landscapes. Director Condon mixes the many plots with such ease employing flashbacks galore – yet, never cumbersome or confusing. The story remains intriguing to the very end. An added treat – we go away learning some very interesting facts about bees.