Confusing storyline creates thought-provoking film
Film pick of the week: "The Box"
By Brian McCumsey
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: Focus
The thing is, this just isn't true about Diaz. Sure, she's been in a few romantic comedies and the cinematic abomination that was "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," but she has also taken on some really interesting projects. For me, "Gangs of New York" sold me on her as an actress-she definitely has more ability than people give her credit for, and "The Box" might well be the best performance of her career.
In one scene when she's talking to Arlington Steward (played by Frank Langella, "Good Night and Good Luck," "Frost/Nixon"), the mysterious stranger who gives them the box, he asks her what she first felt when she looked at his face (you'll understand this once you see the movie). It was at this moment where I realized that Diaz had completely disappeared from my mind-she was this character. In fact, all the performances in this film are quite good.
Is "The Box" a perfect film? Certainly not! In fact, I think it might be a little too confusing for its own good. Sure, it gives the audience something to discuss, but I was left really confused by what it all meant. "Knowing" was a better film because it gave you something to think about and discuss, but it wasn't confusing-it had better execution. The fact that this is confusing is a minor complaint. It was still hugely entertaining and thought-provoking.
As I left the theater, I wondered if I could recommend a movie that I didn't completely understand. My answer came to me as I sat down to write this review. "The Box" is a film that I'm still thinking about four days after I viewed it-that alone warrants a strong recommendation.
In one scene when she's talking to Arlington Steward (played by Frank Langella, "Good Night and Good Luck," "Frost/Nixon"), the mysterious stranger who gives them the box, he asks her what she first felt when she looked at his face (you'll understand this once you see the movie). It was at this moment where I realized that Diaz had completely disappeared from my mind-she was this character. In fact, all the performances in this film are quite good.
Is "The Box" a perfect film? Certainly not! In fact, I think it might be a little too confusing for its own good. Sure, it gives the audience something to discuss, but I was left really confused by what it all meant. "Knowing" was a better film because it gave you something to think about and discuss, but it wasn't confusing-it had better execution. The fact that this is confusing is a minor complaint. It was still hugely entertaining and thought-provoking.
As I left the theater, I wondered if I could recommend a movie that I didn't completely understand. My answer came to me as I sat down to write this review. "The Box" is a film that I'm still thinking about four days after I viewed it-that alone warrants a strong recommendation.
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anonymous
posted 11/13/09 @ 10:21 PM EST
I learned about the box in one of my English classes many years ago. I was glad to hear it was made into a movie.
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