Saturday, August 15, 2015

Review of DARK PLACES: Squalor and Suspense

August 14, 2016



Libby Day was only seven years old when she survived a massacre in her farmhouse in Kansas. Her mom and two older sisters were not as fortunate. Based on Libby's shaky testimony, her older brother Ben was convicted of this most heinous crime and has been serving prison for 25 years. 

Forced by dire financial need, Libby grudgingly accepted an invitation to appear before the Kill Club, a group of detective-wannabes who looked into controversial murder cases. Doubting that Ben did the crimes, they wanted Libby to look into the the circumstances of these ghastly murders again so that true justice can be served.

Charlize Theron can do whatever she wants with her look but she will remain still elegant. In this film, she was a miserable woman with loose dirty t-shirt, with her short-cropped hair hidden under an ugly baseball cap. She looked stunning nevertheless. She was very effective as the troubled Libby who was trapped in her own little prison since the crimes that decimated her family. We completely latch on and sympathize with her character despite her obnoxious attitudes. 

Tye Sheridan was impressive as young Ben Day. The role was written to be a stereotype of a bad teenager who was known to dabble in drugs, fornication and satanism. Sheridan rises above the cheesy material to come up with a stirring performance of the disturbed teenager. 

Corey Stoll is really good as the incarcerated adult Ben Day. He can certainly send chills down your spine despite his kindly demeanor. The way he was portrayed, you never know what this man is really feeling or thinking, perfect for a mystery like this. This is already the third time I have seen Stoll in a film this year after "Ant-Man" and "The Good Lie", and I believe we will be seeing more of this charming character actor.

Chloe Grace Moretz, wow, what can this talented young actress not do! Her performance as young Diondra, the hysterical girlfriend of young Ben, was crazy and disturbing. I completely did not recognize Moretz as she transformed herself into this trashy selfish girl, successfully making a relatively small but pivotal role stand out.

Christina Hendricks paints the perfect portrait of a desperate woman pushed to the brink as Libby's mother Patty. You could really feel her pain and depression as she dealt with bringing up four kids, while an ex-husband who still mulcted money from her even as her farm was going bankrupt. 

The source material of this film is a 2009 novel by author Gillian Flynn, written before her more famous novel Gone Girl. Written and directed by Frenchman Gilles Paquet-Brenner, I thought the film had effective pacing, even as the story shifted from the present to the past and then back. Despite having a multitude of different actors portraying the same unlikable characters twenty five years apart, the storytelling was clear and engaging

This film was interesting, like a book you cannot put down. It was as much about the squalid poverty in America's heartland, as it was a suspenseful murder mystery. This, for me, made for a compelling movie to watch. 8/10.


18 comments:

  1. I love the cast, Chloe Moretz is growing up to be an award winning actress. Very talented young lady, and of course who can forget Charlize Theron. Thanks for the review!

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  2. this movie sounds absolutely interesting! I would have thought it'll be a ghostly movie and I'm glad it's not. will try to catch this in the cinema when it's released.

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  3. I'm watching it right now online at movie4k. Super like it, full of mystery and thrill.

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  4. Interesting. I love Chloe Grace Moretz, especially in Carrie, so I think playing a disturbed teen is nothing new to her. Definitely watching because of your recommendation.

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  5. Oh wow I love movies like this where I can't just put my head out of it--even after watching. The director has made a good job indeed.

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  6. It's a bit darker than my usual taste for movies, well at least it's not a horror film. I'm definitely going to watch Dark Places because of the awesome cast as well.

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  7. I shall check out this movie. You gave a very high rating, guess it is really interesting!

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  8. This is interesting. Added factor is Charlize Theron! I'd sure wait for this movie to be shown here in Thailand.

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  9. This movie got me the moment I saw Charlize’s name. She’s one of my favorite actresses out there so that got me really interested.

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  10. Lately all the horror movies I've been seeing have been horrible. Would love to watch this! Seems awesome! :D

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  11. I am damn scared of all the horror movies and still childish while watching them whenever any scary scene will appear. Rating is quite good for it perhaps my hubby will love to watch it.

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  12. Charlize theron will just be among the prettier actresses even when she doesn't try to be one. This looks like a great watch.

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  13. Its a classic drama movie.I thought It was a horror movie by the name.

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  14. I wasn't going to be watching this film until you said Chloe is inside! After watching a few films of hers, I thought it will be nice to see something different!

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  15. The Dark Places has some controversial slots, heard that it was good. I have watched Gone Girl and it was the type of movie that I will go back for. Plus Charlize Theron is also part of the reason I am going to watch.

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  16. You had me sold at Charlize Theron. Yes I am shallow like that - the deal was sealed with a rating of 8/10. On my to watch list!

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  17. good review. I am a fan of Charlize Theron and definitely this is one is a must-see for me.

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  18. I love mysterious movies such as this especially when it involves unfolding crime stories. I hope this would screen in the cinema near me. Made me more interested when you gave 8/10 rating.

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