Remember to SPEAK NO EVIL

 

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres today from writer/director James Watkins and Universal Pictures is a tale of strangers and terror in SPEAK NO EVIL.

Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben (Scoot McNairy) along with daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) are on holiday in Italy. While there, they meet Paddy (James McAvoy), wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and son Ant (Dan Hough) and they all hit it off immediately. When the family returns to London, they receive a postcard from Paddy inviting them to come spend a holiday with them at their farmhouse.

Thinking they need a change of scenery and helping Agnes with her issues, they gather up and take the long drive out. Almost immediately, Louise feels as if something is off with Paddy and Ciara’s behavior toward their invited guests. Told that Ant was born with a condition that doesn’t allow him to speak properly, Agnes does enjoy his company. Paddy invites Ben and Louise to a special dinner near the shore cooked especially for them. The evening goes smoothly until Louise feels that Paddy is being passive-aggressive towards her.

Ben does nothing which Louise later addresses but it is more unnerving later in the evening causing her to let Ben know that they are leaving right away. Quietly making their way out, their drive down the road is halted because of Agnes anxiety forcing them to return to Paddy’s home. After a bunch of apologies, Louise, Ben and Agnes stay for a while longer. That extended time allows Ant to explain why his father and mother behave the way they do.

Now it is all about survival.

McAvoy as Paddy is absolutely, positively and stunningly terrifying from beginning to end. The way he speaks is charming until it’s not and gawd help you when it’s not. There is something about McAvoy playing a total psychopath that is just fantastic to watch. Most of us know he has that capability if you think of his 2016 performance in the film SPLIT. In this film he gets the stunning opportunity to remind us that Paddy is not to be played with and absolutely fears no one or nothing. He is powerful in every sphere and there is one line in the film that sums up the character of Paddy, but unfortunately, I can’t tell you because it has to be seen to be believed.

McNairy as Ben just drove me insane. The character of Ben is weak, has no mind of his own, is easily persuaded and, to be honest, has no spine what so ever. Of course, someone like Paddy is going to spot all that a mile away and have fun with it. If the role called for all of this, then McNairy nails it. Davis as Louise has an outspoken character but is also weak. I thought, ‘oh good, she’s going to be at least on the side of her family” and then she failed and failed miserably. I give Davis points for recognizing danger but she loses points for being a sucker.

Franciosi as Ciara seems a kind person, but that wall of kindness starts to show cracks until there is nothing that can stop it. She has a story to tell but it does not change who she has become and is loyal to Paddy. Franciosi is charming till the end. Lefler as Agnes has her own issues which is probably why she is so warm with Ant. The character obviously inherited the inability to realize danger until its too late but hey, like daughter like parents. Hough as Ant is the winner here and you will definetly understand why by the films end.

Other cast include Kris Hichen as Mike and Motaz Mulhees as Muhjid.

Universal Pictures has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience in theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.com.

Okay, this is going to get messy so here it goes. This film had me at the highest level of pissivity and frustration. I don’t know if that was director Watkins intention but both my daughter and myself were basically shouting at the screen (it was easy since we were two out of the four people there and they were hollering as well). I believe the ‘wtf’s were flying out our mouths every five minutes. In between that was the ‘oh my gawd’s and ‘you have got to be **** kidding me right now!’.

My problem is I have a hard time with characters that seem to be moving about without a brain and kids who are just being ridiculous. I had to bury that emotion and get past them but, as my daughter kept reminding me, “the characters aren’t real Mom”. Good thing or the film would have only lasted ten minutes!

Without spoiling anything, let me just say that McAvoy and Hough had us at hello and the ride was intense, thrilling, and worthy of shouting at the screen. By the end of the film, we were just absolutely exhausted from the roller coaster ride. That didn’t stop us from talking about it for about another hour and a half. This is a thriller of a very visceral reactive kind for sure so go with it. This is a remake of the 2022 Danish film SPEAK NO EVIL and I’m going to give that a look-see as well!

In the end – beware of strangers!

THE NIGHTINGALE Sings the Saddest Song

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Jennifer Kent and IFC Films comes a story that will have everyone talking about THE NIGHTINGALE.

It is 1825 Australia where Clare (Aisling Franciosi), a 21-year-old Irish woman who served a seven year prison sentence. Freed by Lt. Hawkins (Sam Claflin), she has basically exchanged one prison sentence for another. He is infatuated with Clare and although he allows her to marry Aidan (Michael Sheasby), Lt. Hawkins controls everything she does.

Lt. Hawkins himself is an unhappy man, unhappy with his post, life and that Clare continues to request that she be set free. Once again she is denied and Aidan doesn’t understand his hold. Deciding to speak with Lt. Hawkins himself, it becomes an evening of unspeakable horror.

The next morning Clare attempts to find justice for her family and discovers that Lt. Hawkins and his men have packed up and left for a post in the north. That is when she decides to go after them all to hold them accountable. Needing a guide she is directed toward Aboriginal tracker Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) who really wants nothing to do with her.

Given no choice, Clare holds Billy at gunpoint as they see each other without much care. Clare sees a black man who should do as he is told and Billy sees a white woman who comes from a group of people who have killed his.

As they come closer to finding Lt. Hawkins and company, a bond begins to form as their lives are in danger. They both have stories of their lives and finally share with one another. In those stories they discover that pain knows no color or geography.

Finally coming face to face with Lt. Hawkins, both must make a decision on how to handle their pain.

Franciosi as Clare is stunning, emotional, frightening and absolutely stellar in her role. I have to be quite honest and say I’m not sure how any woman given that time period would have handled what this character went through. That being said, Franciosi portrayal of Clare is riveting and feels very honest. She had me tense and holding my breath every scene of the film. Brilliant!

Ganambarr as Billy plays his character straight forward as an aboriginal who has been denied his country, heritage, family and sense of self. He is angry and has every right to be but once he learns Clare’s story, there is a change that happens with an understanding that is clear and powerful. I was taken with Ganambarr’s performance and it is one I am not likely to ever forget.

Claflin as Lt. Hawkins is just plain evil from start to finish and that is so surprising for me. I am so use to Claflin playing roles like THE HUNGER GAMES, THE HUNTSMAN, ME BEFORE YOU and ADRIFT that this role out and out shocks me in its brutality. These all had to be a difficult role and Claflin as the heavy plays a character that knows his wrongs but continues to do them anyway.

Other cast include Damon Herriman as Ruse, Harry Greenwood as Jago, Ewen Leslie as Goodwin, Charlie Shotwell as Eddie, Matthew Sunderland as Davey, Magnolia Maymuru as Lowanna, Christopher Stollery as Major Bexley, Nathaniel Dean as Stoakes, Claire Jones as Harriet, Luke Carroll as Archie and Charlie Jampijinpa Brown as Uncle Charlie.

THE NIGHTINGALE has won at Venice for Special Jury Prize, Best New York Performer, winner at the Miami International Film Festival, Rene Rodriguez Critics Award as well as the Official Selection at the Sundance Film Festival – Spotlight Section and Official Selection at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

This film is brutal, even savage, in its telling and in the mix is colonialism, an attempt to extinguish a race, disgusting treatment of women and the insanity of it all on a person. I can’t recall the last time I had my hand over my mouth so many times during a film to keep in the yell that wanted to escape.

It is a story of Clare and Billy and the clear truth that they do not know their worth until their worth is made clear. Unfortunately the knowledge comes by way of pain and hardship. Franciosi and Ganambarr give their characters humanity in the midst of madness.

The writer/director Jennifer Kent has told a tale that wears down the viewer with a cast that brings everything to the screen. I am in awe of everyone who took part in this film. This won’t be an easy film for anyone to watch but that shouldn’t stop it from being seen and I believe that!

In the end – her song won’t be silenced!