By Michael Colford
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Karyn Kusama
Starring: Bradley Whitford | Nicole Kidman | Scott McNairy | Sebastian Stan | Tatiana Maslany | Toby Kebbell
Country: united_states
Year: 2019
Running time: 121
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7137380/reference
Michael says: “Karyn Kusama’s latest film got a bit of a tiny buzz when it was released, around the possibility of Oscar notice because of Nicole Kidman’s strung-out, driven, and totally unglamorous portrayal of Detective Bell, wracked with guilt and hell-bent on revenge. Some people said the talk around Oscar was because she didn’t wear any make-up and looked like hell. I was intrigued enough to give it a try, and I was pleasantly surprised despite mixed reviews. It’s a relentlessly dark film, but if that doesn’t bother you, it’s definitely worth a watch.
“As a young cop, Bell went deep undercover with a fellow-cop to take down a gang of bank robbers. Things go south, and people die. Jump forward 17 years later, and Detective Bell is on the scene of a murder. She also received a sign that the head of the gang, who has been out of sight for the intervening years, as resurfaced. Trigger her revenge gene. As a product of her guilt-ridden life, Bell is a heavy drinker, and a terrible mom. But she’s a good detective, and sets off to track down her prey. Will she get redemption?Revenge? Closure? The story slowly unwinds through flashbacks until the powerful and yes, poetic ending.
“What a great film led almost exclusively by women. I actually appreciated Kusama’s directing choices, and the way she handled the complicated story to tell a powerful tale. The editing by Plummy Tucker was effective and nicely handled. Cinematography by Julie Kirkwood added a beauty to the ugly tale, and power in the close-ups of Kidman’s haggard face. And Kidman is pretty terrific. Her physical appearance is just part of it. Her physicality, the relentless weight of her guilt, and the ingrained responsibility of her profession are all conveyed powerfully by her performance. I am considering nominations for all four of them.
“Also excellent were Sebastian Stan as Bell’s undercover partner, and Tatiana Maslany, as the gang leaders girl. There’s a fight between Kidman and Maslany that is as brutal as they come.
“This one was a surprise, and a pleasant one at that. 4 cats”
Bruce says: “I really liked this film and nominations are due for Kidman’s great approach to her non-glamour role, she made it much more than the make-up. She really does attack her roles.”