THE INSTIGATORS (2024)

August 8, 2024

Greetings again from the darkness. Add this to the long list of films reminding us to temper our expectations and high hopes prior to viewing. Still, optimism seemed reasonable given an excellent director and strong cast. Director Doug Liman has delivered such entertaining films as SWINGERS (1996), THE BOURNE IDENTITY (2002), EDGE OF TOMORROW (2016), and this year’s remake of ROAD HOUSE (2024). Matt Damon and Casey Affleck both have Oscars on their mantels, and Hong Chau has a recent Oscar nomination. To top it off, the supporting cast includes such favorites as Jack Harlow, Alfred Molina, Michael Stuhlbarg, Andre De Shields, Ron Perlman, Toby Jones, Ving Rhames, and Paul Walter Hauser. All the pieces were in place. So, where’s the spark … the pizzazz … the fun?

The premise is promising enough. Former Marine Rory (Matt Damon) is a desperate man. He needs $32,480 to reboot his life – child support, alimony, mortgage, etc – so that he can reconnect with his son and watch him play hockey. When his therapist, Dr Donna Rivera (Hong Chau, THE WHALE, 2022) acknowledges his desperation, she asks, “Have you tried everything?” The next thing we know, somehow lowlife criminal Scalvo (Harlow) has teamed Rory with ex-con Cobby (Casey Affleck) for a job masterminded by Mr. Besegai (Stuhlbarg) and Mr. Dechico (Molina). The heist involves an election night fundraiser for corrupt incumbent Mayor Miccelli (Perlman) at the Boston Wharf. Along the way, we get a glimpse of Fenway Park, the famous Bobby Orr photograph, and a popular Patriot (the football kind).

Of course, the heist goes sideways … or whatever is worse than sideways for criminal activity … and an extended (i.e., entirely too long) car chase through downtown Boston plays out while Petula Clark croons “Downtown”, and Dr. Rivera is taken as a volunteer hostage who continues to pass along advice to her patient. Now for this to work, the action needs to be thrilling and the wit amongst the three participants in the car needs to be crackling. Neither of these occur.

The script was co-written by Chuck MacLean (“City on a Hill”) and co-star Casey Affleck, and it strives to be all things to all viewers … crime-thriller, buddy comedy, and action flick. It’s watchable, yet falls into that category we’ve come to dread: mostly forgettable. Even the ‘Butch and Sundance’ jokes fall flat. All of these talented folks will move along to their next projects, just as we will move along to the next movie. No harm/no foul.

Playing in select theaters and streaming on Apple TV+ beginning August 9, 2024

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE WHALE (2022)

December 10, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Brendan Fraser deserves an Oscar nomination. There’s a sentence I never even imagined writing. If you recall (and you are excused if you don’t), Mr. Fraser’s early acting career is noted for such ‘prestige’ films as ENCINO MAN (1992), GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE (1997), DUDLEY DO-RIGHT (1999), and BEDAZZLED (2000). And yes, I’m being a bit unfair in the films I chose to name, as he has also had some solid performances along the way. However, nothing on his resume could have prepared us for what he delivers on screen in this latest from director Darren Aronofsky (BLACK SWAN, 2010).

Award-winning playwright Samuel D Hunter adapted his own play for the big screen, and it’s one that will surely drag you down and pound your emotions, even as it mesmerizes you. We first hear Charlie’s (Fraser) soothing voice as he addresses the online college writing class he teaches. We see the students’ faces on his laptop, but Charlie’s square is blacked out. He explains the camera on his laptop is still “broken”. Class ends and Charlie’s friend Liz (a terrific Hong Chau, “Watchmen”) shows up to read his blood pressure at 238/134. Charlie is a massive human being, barely mobile, and nearing death.

Liz is also a nurse and tends to Charlie in a sense of loyalty and caring through their friendship … the origin of which we learn later in the story. Thomas (Ty Simpkins, JURASSIC WORLD, 2015), who says he’s a missionary from New Life Ministries, knocks on the door as Charlie is in medical distress. Liz treats Thomas as an intruder and demands he leave, while Charlie remains civil to him. Given his ticking clock, Charlie reaches out to his teenage daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink, “Stranger Things”). The two haven’t seen each other in the years since Charlie left for a new lover. To say that Ellie has pent-up rage and anger directed at her long-lost dad would be understating the situation. She blows into his apartment like a tornado, spewing venom towards Charlie. They do come to an arrangement that entices her to return to visit while he agrees to assist with her delinquent school assignments.

Almost the entirety of the story takes place in about 300 square feet of the upstairs apartment Charlie is confined to. The tight space adds tension to every interaction between the four characters, including Charlie’s ex-wife Mary (Samantha Morton, IN AMERICA, one of my favorite forgotten gems from 20 years ago). Brendan Fraser uses his eyes to convey so many thoughts, even as we turn in disgust at his eating habits. An excellent score from Rob Simonsen and expert camera work from cinematographer Matthew Libatique complement the stunning performance from Fraser, and the numerous moments of intense tension and emotional turmoil. There are only a few times throughout where the live stage source material sticks out, and the ending is handled beautifully, allowing us a respite from the emotional rollercoaster of the past two hours.

Now showing in theaters

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1 Comment | Drama | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson