MOVIE REVIEW: THE ORDER

 

A string of violent robberies in the Pacific Northwest leads veteran FBI agent Terry Husk to a white supremacist group that plans to overthrow the federal government.

Director: Justin Kurzel 

Cast: Jude Law; Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, Alison Oliver, Marc Maron

Release Date: December 6, 2024

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Rated R for some strong violence, and language throughout.

Runtime: 1h 58m

Review:

Justin Kurzel's tense police procedural feels like a throwback to classic Michael Mann films from the 80's and 90's with its straightforward single-mindedness buoyed by stellar performances across the board.  Kurzel's film is hauntingly beautiful in how its shot by taking full advantage of the natural beauty that hides the sinister workings of the white supremacist domestic terrorist at the heart of the story.  It’s a fascinating juxtaposition that offers up a hefty bit of thematic subtext to the story playing out on screen.  It’s all wonderfully shot but straightforward and lean with very few visual flourishes thrown into the mix.  It’s an incredibly efficient film from start to finish that never loses sight of where it's going or how it wants to get there.  Jude Law embodies the film's no nonsense approach with his turn as the hardboiled FBI agent who drives the story.  Law has rarely been better as he gives his character a hardened intensity that drives his relentless pursuit of his target regardless of the personal toll it takes on him.  We are given only a few morsels of background information on the character, but Law manages to give him enough layers so that we understand the depths of his determination even if not the reasons.  On the other end, Nicholas Hoult takes advantage of his boyish looks paired with a tangible sense of charisma that becomes more an unnerving as his groups actions become more extreme.  There's subtle work from both actors on display with Law's performance being the showier of the two but Hoult is just as good with his measured approach.  They only share a few moments on screen but when they do the screen screams with tension as each party attempts to size up each other.  Tye Sheridan and Jurnee Smollett are solid in smaller supporting roles with Sheridan leaving a sizeable impression on the film.  There's plenty to appreciate about The Order, especially since it brings a certain level of immediacy and importance due to some readily apparent modern day connections.  

A

MOVIE REVIEW: SALTBURN

 

A student is invited to an eccentric classmate's estate for an exciting summer.

Director: Emerald Fennell

Cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe

Release Date: November 17, 2023

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller

Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use.

Runtime: 2h 7m

Emerald Fennell sophomore feature, Saltburn, is a deliberately paced puzzle box that reveals itself methodically as it attempts to shock and surprise with varying degrees of effect.  Fennell does go for something far more visually striking and impactful here than her first film which gives the proceedings the kind of flair that's hard to ignore. The use of a 1.33:1 aspect ratio adds to the effect by giving the film a voyeuristic look and feel throughout. This fly on the wall approach gives everything a sinister undertone even as the script veers into dark comedy more times than not as the depravity unveils itself.  Its easy to see similarities to The Talented Mr. Ripley in terms of story and setting but there's also the anarchist spirit of Roger Avery's twisted tale of entitlement from The Rules of Attraction.  At the center of it all is a chameleon like performance from Barry Keoghan who runs the gamut of emotions and presence as the film goes along.  Its fascinating turn that allows him to work through subtly before revealing bigger emotional shifts.  Jacob Elordi is a solid counter to Keoghan's more nebulous persona.  Elordi comes across as deceptively earnest and well meaning for the better part of the film's runtime.  Strong supporting turns from Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver and Archie Madekwe give the film the kind of depth that makes the film easier to enjoy even as it moves at a very specific pace.  Pike and Grant in particular make the most of their limited screen time by delivering devilishly fun performances as the parents.  There is plenty to unpack from the film's final act which takes a series of big swings with some working better than others.  There's a solid sense in some of these latter sequences that Fennell is trying to shock the audience which is fine but there's a lesson to be learned about less being more.  Issues aside, Saltburn is a solid follow up to Promising Young Women even if its not as refined or impactful as it should be.

B