THE DESPERATE HOUR (2022)

February 25, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Given the tragic and inexcusable frequency of real world school shootings, it’s debatable whether the topic should be considered as the basis for a movie – even one that focuses on the emotional turmoil of mother and student. Regardless of anyone’s opinion on that, this viewer found very little of value in the film, outside of Naomi Watts’ efforts. It’s not particularly entertaining as a thriller, and some of the details that play out here would be comical, if not for the subject matter.

Two-time Oscar nominee Naomi Watts stars as widowed single mother Amy Carr. The one-year anniversary of the car crash that killed her husband has arrived, and those haunting visions still jolt her from a deep sleep. After calling in to work for a personal day, failing to roust her teenage son Noah (Colton Gobbo) from bed, and ensuring young daughter Emily (Sierra Maltby) is safely on the school bus, Amy heads out for a morning jog.

From that point on, most of what happens stretches the bounds of believability to the point that a few eye rolls are perfectly acceptable. Amy’s jog somehow takes her miles into a forest, and yet she manages to hold more phone conversations than an old-time switchboard operator. That is, until she learns of the active shooter. This triggers sporadic cell coverage – now she has it, now she doesn’t. Her magic phone does allow crazy fast and detailed GPS information, and yet the most ridiculous LYFT order ever. It’s clear every driver in town has had some form of car crash and evidently they all have dealt with the body shop across from the school, where the most helpful attendant in history answers Amy’s calls. The same can be said for the 911 operator she reaches multiple times – despite the local urgent and dangerous situation. And if I haven’t used the word ludicrous yet, that’s the best description of Amy’s interactions with local law enforcement … after her sprained ankle and slight concussion.

On the plus side, Ms. Watts gives the role everything she has. And since it’s a “pandemic” movie, almost every scene features her going solo. She’s a true professional that simply can’t save the material. Phillip Noyce directed one of my favorite underrated thrillers, DEAD CALM (1989), and is best known for the Harrison Ford – Jack Ryan thrillers PATRIOT GAMES (1992) and CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (1994). Screenwriter Chris Sparling was behind a far superior ‘one-actor’ film with BURIED (2010). A certain amount of guilt goes with criticizing this movie, given the topic; however, the exploitive nature and gimmicky elements prevent any other approach. The ending is an absurd display of social media with the all-too-familiar cry of “this has to stop.” Noyce’s film leaves us with the message that school shootings are horrible. It’s a message that I’m confident the vast majority of us have already received even before watching Naomi Watts run for 80 minutes.

In Theaters, on Digital, and On Demand February 25, 2022

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

DEAD CALM (1989) revisited

November 12, 2017

 Greetings again from the darkness. For years, I considered this one of my favorite guilty pleasures; however, I now realize just how unfair that label is. After nearly 30 years, this arm-rest-gripping thriller from director Phillip Noyce (CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE, THE QUIET AMERICAN) deserves respect as a well made (except for the ending), well written and well acted film. It proves that two boats may not be enough for three people.

Terry Hayes adapted the screenplay from the 1963 Charles Williams novel, and the production team, including George Miller, is behind the MAD MAX franchise. Cinematographer Dean Semler won an Oscar a couple of years later for DANCES WITH WOLVES, and his eye brings us some terrific shots … none better than an early view of both boats and an expanse of sea.

Of course the film is best known for showcasing a young up-and-coming actress named Nicole Kidman. She began her career at age 16, and was still only 21 when this one was filmed. Her youthful features had yet to make way for the mature and stunning woman we know today. The following year she appeared in DAYS OF THUNDER, kicking off her Tom Cruise era. In the quarter century since, Ms. Kidman has reached the pinnacle of the acting profession and is a four time Oscar nominee, winning for THE HOURS. She has gained respect for never shying away from tough or controversial roles, and in 2017 has excelled in THE BEGUILED and THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER. Earlier in the year she won an Emmy for her challenging role in “Big Little Lies“.

Ms. Kidman’s role here is as Rae, a mother entertaining her young son by singing “Eensy Weensy Spider” as she drives through a torrential storm that would eventually lead to an accident that tragically kills the boy. Soon Rae and her military officer husband John (Sam Neill) are off on a rehabilitation trip aboard their sailing yacht . Their peaceful time together is interrupted as they spot a stalled schooner off in the distance, and a man frantically rowing a skiff towards them. They help a dazed and profusely sweating Hughie (Billy Zane) on board as he explains how the other passengers on The Orpheus all died from botulism. When John goes to check out The Orpheus, Hughie commandeers the yacht from Rae and heads off leaving John seemingly helpless on the sinking vessel.

What follows is some extraordinary tension and psychological gamesmanship that keeps us enthralled with the three characters. The juxtaposition between the two boats is fascinating. As John’s resourcefulness meticulously brings the dying Orpheus back to life, Rae and Hughie are involved in a mental chess match of life and death between a sociopath and a mother in mourning. There is also a creative manner in which John (and viewers) picks up some of the bleak backstory casting doubt on Hughie’s tale.

Sam Neill was in his early 40’s, and this was four years before his Dr. Grant took the tour of JURASSIC PARK, where no expense was spared. In 1988 he had portrayed Meryl Streep’s husband in A CRY IN THE DARK, and recently his strong, silent persona has been key to the success of HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (one of the best from 2016) and TV’s “Peaky Blinders”. Billy Zane, age 22 at the time of filming, makes a wonderfully frenetic entrance in the film. He met his wife Lisa Collins on this shoot – she’s one of the unfortunate Orpheus passengers. He has also enjoyed a long and consistent career, with his most recognizable roles being from TOMBSTONE (1993) and of course as Rose’s jealous fiancé in TITANIC (1997). His cameos in the ZOOLANDER movies are legendary in comedy, and now in his 50’s, Mr. Zane remains extremely busy as an actor.

The tagline for the movie: “When you are in the middle of nowhere, there’s nowhere to hide” is terrific, and the confines of a boat at sea set the stage for a life lesson – sometimes you just have to fight. Orson Welles worked on his version of the film for years, but the project was never finished. Instead, director Phillip Noyce and three excellent actors deliver a taut thriller that keeps our palms sweaty … at least right up until that ghastly ending that somehow leaves me annoyed and laughing in frustration.


 

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Posted by David Ferguson

SALT (2010)

July 25, 2010

 Greetings again from the darkness. Remember the Alamo! Remember the Cold War! OK, the Alamo has nothing to do with this, but if you can remember Russia as a superpower and the bad guy whom the U.S. spent years and billions trying to out-spy and out-defend, then this story might makes some sense to you. Of course, the story matters little here. What matters is the action and it is actually high octane and quite fun.

Angelina Jolie has always reminded me of the scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when Strother Martin is testing out Sundance’s shooting skills. When he misses the first target, Sundance asks “Can I move?”. He then proves he is much better when he moves. Angelina is the same. In her films that let her “move”, she is amazing. Think Mr. and Mrs. Smith vs. Changeling. The first she seems a natural, the second she came across as miscast. In this film, she does things no human being could do, but does these things with such commitment, that we actually believe she is capable. Her actions often border on parkour … especially when in an elevator shaft or bounding from truck to truck on a freeway.  We accept these stunts because it’s Angelina.

Support work is provided by Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor, both who spend much of the movie trying to figure out how Angelina does the things she does … surrounded by their teams of weapons experts. Most of the time, the way she is outnumbered leaves you thinking that if she gets out of this jam, this movie is just stupid. But once she has escaped, you just feel a little more pumped up! That’s a sign of a fun action movie.

Sure, the story is ridiculous at most points and the plot holes are more canyons than holes, but it’s kind of nice to re-visit the double or triple spy days, especially when placed within daring stunts and chases that work.

The director of this is Phillip Noyce, who is best known for a couple of the Tom Clancy adaptations – Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Mr. Noyce got me hooked 20 years ago on a little film called Dead Calm, starring a very young Nicole Kidman. That is a taut little thriller that takes place mostly on a sail boat in the middle of the ocean. If you’ve never seen it, you should.

So in regards to Salt, I will say that it’s a fun action-thriller in a twisty little cold war spy setting. Don’t get caught up in the plot details and just enjoy the action sequences by Angelina Jolie. Not very often I recommend ignoring a faulty script, but I actually enjoyed this one.

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Posted by David Ferguson