LOVE GETS A ROOM (2023)

June 23, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. Most of us will never know the agony and desperation felt by Jews in 1942 Warsaw, the setting of the latest from writer-director Rodrigo Cortes (the underappreciated thriller, BURIED, 2010). Co-written with David Safier, the film benefits from an extraordinary performance by Clara Rugaard as Stefcia, the lead actress in a live performance of Jerzy Jurandot’s “Love Looks for an Apartment” taking place in a rundown theater within the slums of Warsaw.

The genius of the film is the symmetry between the play and the real-world developments occurring for Stefcia. Fellow actors in the troupe include her current boyfriend Edmund (Ferdio Walsh-Peelo) and her ex-boyfriend Patrik (Mark Ryder), whose latest proposition has caused quite the conundrum for all three – as well as Edmund’s little sister Sara (Dalit Streett Tejeda), who ends up on stage for the climax. Although the play is a musical romantic comedy being performed to bring a glimmer of joy to local residents, there is even more drama occurring backstage, and all of this takes place at a frenetic pace that plays out in mostly real time.

Fear is ever-present in the form of a rifle-wielding Nazi soldier (Magnus Krepper) who interrupts the show and plops down on the front row. He’s the type of arrogant soldier who finds joy in flaunting his power and watching others cower in his presence. Of course, the audience is oblivious to the fact that the emotions played out on stage – love, fear, confusion, and passion – are also playing out in the real lives of those same actors. Life here is bleak, yet the play brings a form of hope that goodness and joy still exist.

Fueled by adrenaline, putting nerves on edge, the film is enhanced by Victor Reyes’ score and the tremendous camera work by cinematographer Rafa Garcia. The camera is almost always in motion, mirroring the key players and the drama and decisions unfolding. Additionally worth noting is a frantic scene over the opening credits that revs us up so we can keep pace with the coming story. This is excellent filmmaking by Rodrigo Cortes, and the message emphasizing the human spirit to always carry on is on full display. On a personal note, one of my favorite takeaways here is the dedication the actors show in delivering a show that offers a window of joy to those in dire need of it.

The film will be released June 23 in limited theaters and available on Digital + VOD June 30th

WATCH THE TRAILER

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

BURIED (2010)

September 25, 2010

 Greetings again from the darkness. My comments about last week’s Devil dwelled on the aspect of claustrophobia in being stranded in a stuck elevator with strangers. Forget all that! In this compelling film, Ryan Reynolds wakes up in an enclosed coffin. With a head injury. Buried. In Iraq. With a cell phone. And a lighter. This takes claustrophobia and anxiety attacks to a whole new level.  If you have read Edgar Allan Poe‘s “The Premature Burial”, you have a sense.

Somehow writer Chris Sparling, director Rodrigo Cortes and Ryan Reynolds all bought off on the idea that the ENTIRE FILM should be shot from WITHIN THE COFFIN. Yes, that’s correct. There are no flashbacks to Paul’s (Ryan Reynolds) home life or the convoy ambush. There are no scenes of the FBI working the phones on his behalf. There are no scenes of the kidnappers in some darkened basement. None of that. Just Reynolds. In his wooden coffin. From all angles. In the past, I labeled Ryan Reynolds as just another plug-in for rom-coms.  While his rom-coms rarely appeal to me, I have come to respect him for stretching himself as an actor in other genres.

Paul Conroy, an American contractor working in Iraq, wakes up in a coffin. His kidnappers have provided a cell phone and inform him that he will be released only if they are paid “5 million money”. Paul spends the rest of the film frantically trying to arrange for the ransom by contacting his family, his employer, the FBI and the State Department. I will say no more other than I found my breathing getting quick and shallow and my palms sweaty just watching the plight of this unfortunate man.

There are no outside scenes, excluding a very short, disturbing video the kidnappers send him through the cell phone. The phone conversations are fascinating. You will voice-recognize the great Stephen Tobolowsky as the personnel director performing some quick legal ass-covering. You might also recognize the voice of Tess Harper as Maryann – presumable the mother of Paul’s wife as he tries to make contact. Neither of these are warm fuzzies, but both add to the heightened stress level and desperation.

This is not really a film we would want to watch a second time, but interestingly enough, I could see it becoming a cult fixture similar to “Rocky Horror”. The audience could show up with their cell phone, a lighter, a flask and a couple of other props that I won’t disclose here. Sometimes the best way to handle fear is to laugh in its face. Oh, and answer your cell when loved one’s call. Lastly … I don’t want to be buried alive.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you enjoy anxiety attacks

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: you freak out in a traffic jam OR expect to see Reynolds’ abs.

Leave a Comment » | Thriller | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson