BUFFALO, N.Y. — The most visible things about The Invisible Man are the very visible talents of Elizabeth Moss (Us, The Kitchen).
Much of the dramatic impetus of the film consists of Celia Kass (Moss) reacting to things that neither she nor the audience nor the other characters can see; Moss manages to make her terror visible. She is, in fact, the very best thing about a very good film.
So, Celia Kass is living with a controlling, violent and abusive husband, Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen, The Healer, Despite the Falling Snow). One night, she finally decides to make a break for it and manages to barely escape with the help of her sister, Emily (Harriet Dyer, Killing Ground, Down Under).
Even as they speed away, Adrian breaks out the window of Emily’s car, desperately grabbing at Celia. A couple of weeks later, Celia is living with an old friend, James, (Aldis Hodge, Clemency, What Men Want) and his daughter, Sydney (Storm Reid, A Wrinkle in Time, 12 Years a Slave).
Fear of encountering Adrian has rendered Celia agoraphobic. When Adrian’s attorney and brother, Tom (Michael Dorman, The Water Diviner, Killer Elite) contacts Celia to let her know that Adrian has killed himself, and, in spite of their conflict, has left her with a considerable sum of money.
That bequest is conditional upon Celia staying sane and out of trouble. Well, Celia is able to relax now and use her new wealth to help Sydney with college expenses and do some other nice things for those she loves.
However, suddenly Celia is getting the feeling that she’s being watched, that there is some invisible presence around her.
Then things get violent and crazy.
Director Leigh Whannell (Insidious: Chapter 3) has proven in other films that he is more-than-capable director in both the techno-thriller and horror genres. In The Invisible Man, he brings both capabilities to bear on the subject matter.
He doesn’t hit either genre cleanly with this film; The Invisible Man is either a really creepy techno-thriller or a really science-y horror flick. This reviewer is not sure which.
What he is sure about is that Whannell has directed a supremely compelling flick, regardless of how one might categorize it. We see many of the same techniques he used in Insidious: Chapter 3 used to good effect with outstanding pacing. The viewer is never bored watching this film and is always aware that something, something bad, is about to happen.
Whannell has a strong cast to work with but has an extraordinary asset in Moss. She’s demonstrated in Hulu's The Handmaid’s Tale that she can emote up close and personal; with facial expressions and manner that helps evoke tension and terror in the audience.
Moss is capable of much more than horror films, but this reviewer is gratified that she brings her considerable talents to this The Invisible Man. Without her, it wouldn’t be as good as it is.
Oh, the special effects are good, and the other actors are very good, but it’s Moss and Whannell that raise this film from just-another-remake status to something more remarkable.
As far as this reviewer can see, The Invisible Man is clearly worthy of 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn, and is a must-see for fans of thrillers, horror and techno-thrillers.
The Invisible Man is directed by Leigh Whannell and stars Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Michael Dorman, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen. It's rated R for some strong bloody violence, and language and runs 124 minutes.
Now, from an invisible man to a woman whose political leanings were too visible for her own good.
Seberg is about Jean Seberg (Kristen Stewart, Personal Shopper, American Ultra) an American Actress, a cinematic Icon who lived in France back in the 60’s. The FBI targeted her for her support of the Black Panther Party.
Seberg is a political thriller about how the FBI tormented Seberg. While Kristen Stewart has gotten full marks for her portrayal of Seberg, the film itself isn’t getting a lot of critical love.
Seberg is directed by Benedict Andrews and stars Kristen Stewart, Jack O'Connell, Margaret Qualley, Zazie Beetz, Anthony Mackie and Vince Vaughn.
It’s Rated R for language, sexual content/nudity and some drug use and runs 102 minutes.
Critics on the other hand are just loving the French historical drama Portrait of a Lady on Fire. It’s the story of a bride to be who doesn’t want her wedding portrait painted ‘cause she really doesn’t want to get married. Oh, it’s more nuanced than that. It’s also subtitled, and Rated R for some nudity and sexuality.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is directed by Céline Sciamma, and stars Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel. It runs 122 minutes.
I'm Larry Haneberg, and I'm taking you 2 The Movies.