The Devil All the Time Film Review

Directed by Antonio Campos

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Haley Bennett, Tom Holland

Rated R for violence, bloody/disturbing images, sexual content, graphic nudity, and language throughout

The Devil All the Time is a physiological thriller that centers around multiple stories in a town 1950/1960’s West Virginia. Some of the stories include a World War II veteran, (played by Bill Skarsgård) who is raising a family, Arvin (played by Tom Holland), a young man in 1960’s West Virginia, and a corrupt Sheriff (played by Sebastian Stan) who is trying to win re-election. Although all of these stories seem separate from one another, they all eventually connect with one another.

The brief synopsis given above does not even to scratch the surface of all the stories explored in the film. The film have several stories that do eventually connect, but at times it feels like its one too many. The first 40 minutes of the film focuses on two different stories, two families, that are related, and their unfortunate end. The film is establishing the characters and what the film is going to be about, but the film focuses on these families a bit too much. It’s hard to explain without going into detail too much, but there could have been scenes left on the cutting room floor. But soon after the 40 minute mark, we move on to a different set of characters that are related to the first set of characters we saw at the beginning of the film. My main argument here is that there are too many plot points and characters. The film does get a bit too convoluted a point and the film needed to step back a bit and make it a bit simpler.

This film is based on the novel by Donald Ray Pollock, who also narrates the film. The film almost plays out like a book, from its constant narration to its ambiguous ending that is commonplace for novels. Throughout the film, I kept getting the feeling that the film wanted to emulate To Kill a Mockingbird. While both films take some time to establish the characters and the setting, To Kill a Mockingbird eventually gets to the plot and sticks to it. While I have yet to read the novel this film is based off, The Devil All the Times seems to be ripped off the pages. When adapting a novel to a film, there are some elements that have to be revoked in order to make a cohesive film. Instead, the film just didn’t know how to translate a novel to a film.

Intense Trailer for Netflix's Great-Looking Film THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME with Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson — GeekTyrant

With the criticisms of the film, I have to give credit for the strong performances given throughout the film. The main standouts include Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, who both transform into their roles and get lost into them. Pattinson, while only being in the film for a few scenes, standouts as a new pastor who has sexual relations with young girls. Pattinson is slowly becoming one of those actors who goes beyond acting and actually becomes a character. Not once did I think of the actor on the screen, but more of the character I was viewing on the screen. Holland did a fantastic job of conveying the emotions of a young man who has recently killed others. We know he has done horrific acts, but somehow the audience cheers the character when he escapes death or succeeds in his plan.

The Devil All the Time is one of those dark films that can bring a somber mood. The film best succeeds in bringing the despicable characters to the screen along with the grim atmosphere, however, it does have a glaring issue of a complicated screenplay. If the film would have made a few cuts to a few characters or scenes, this would have been a fantastic viewing. The film already has a superb cast giving terrific performances, a great screenplay would have helped the film. I know this film has been receiving positive reviews, The Devil All the Time was not my cup of tea. I understand there will be fans of the film, and I can respect that, but this is was a bit of a miss.

2.5/4

Red Dragon Film Review

Directed by Brett Ratner

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes

Rated R for violence, grisly images, language, some nudity and sexuality

Red Dragon is a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, directed by Brett Ratner. In Red Dragon, Will (played by Edward Norton) is pulled out of retirement from the FBI and is tasked with help finding the “Tooth Fairy”, a serial killer who murders families. Will is forced to seek Dr. Hannibal Lector (played by Anthony Hopkins), a cannibal who was captured by Will years prior, and hear his advice on who the serial killer may be.

Red Dragon serves as a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs and while viewing this film, I could not help noticing the similar plot points to it’s predecessor. While both films are based off the novels by Thomas Harris, I am not sure how much part of the film was from the book and how much of it is original. It goes without saying that Lambs is a fantastic film and I could see the filmmakers wanting this film to be on par with the other. While this film is not on par with the other film, it does stand out on its own and is very enjoyable to watch. For one, Edward Norton is a very likable character the audience roots for. He is given a family, so that is something that makes him relatable. He knows Lector well and doesn’t take his shenanigans from him. While in Lambs, Lector had control over Starling, mostly due to being a trainee at the FBI, Lector has no control over Will. I would go as far as saying as these two are equals, but on the opposite ends of the spectrum.

Anthony Hopkins, as Dr. Lector, also stands out in the role, mostly due to playing such an iconic character. While he is not as menacing as he was in the previous films, he is still frightening. He is very intelligent and knows how to exploit someone’s weakness. While is he mostly restricted to being behind a cage, he is not as terrifying as the main villain, the “Tooth Fairy”. Francis Dolarhyde (played by Ralph Fiennes) is a serial killer who had a tragic upbringing. He was raised by an abusive grandmother which still affects him well into his adulthood. He is made to be more human when he has a romantic relationship with Reba (played by Emily Watson), a blind woman who is oblivious to his crimes. The romantic relationship brings his character down to be a bit more human, instead of being a full monster who is unsympathetic.

The film is a pleasant watch and is a bit suspenseful when it needs to be. Unfortunately there are some elements of the film that are very unbelievable that almost take the audience out of the film. For example, in the beginning of the film, we see how Will captured Dr. Lector. This capture includes Will getting brutally stabbed and Dr. Lector also getting stabbed and getting shot multiple times. While these two characters eventually survive, it is a bit ridiculous that someone can survive what they had to endure. I know this is a film and its all made up, but this moment almost took me out of the film. Also, the film does have a few notable cliches such as a retired law enforcement agent being pulled back in for one last job or the few jump scares the film tries to do. These elements do not take away enjoyment from the film, but it is worth mentioning as it does stick out like a sore thumb.

But disregarding that, Red Dragon is still an intriguing thriller. The film features a great cast who all turn in a wonderful performance and try to make their characters relatable or sympathetic. It also has a lot of twists and turns that will make the audience on the edge of the seat. The film knows that it won’t be on the same level as The Silence of the Lambs, but the film still attempts to a worthy addition to the Hannibal Lector series. I would say anyone who enjoys The Silence of the Lambs would like Red Dragon and find appreciate the film.

3/4

Good Time Film Review

Directed by Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Jennifer Jason Leigh

Rated R for language throughout, violence, drug use and sexual content

Good Time is the directorial debut of the Safdie Brothers. The crime drama centers around Connie (played by Robert Pattinson), a young man who must break his intellectually disabled brother, Nick (played by Benny Safdie), out of jail after a bank robbery goes wrong. Throughout the film, Connie goes throughout New York and tries everything to get his brother out while also evading capture from the police.

What makes a film like Good Time exciting is that it uses the story to build up tension and suspension. This is by no means a horror filled film but just watching some scenes makes the audience nervous to what will happen next. This is what Uncut Gems, the sophomore effort from the Safdie Brothers, did so well. Both films make every scene anxious because we do not know what to expect. Writers Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie do a great job writing the dialogue and plot points that keep the audience guessing, but its the two directors that do an exceptional job putting the uneasiness onto the screen. The audience expects the film to take one direction, but it ends up going another.

While praise should be given to the two directors behind the camera, some should also go to its star Robert Pattinson. Years ago, Pattinson was a fairly disliked actor due to his work in the Twilight series. To be fair, his performances in those films were not so strong partly due to the lack of material that was given to him. But now Pattinson has redeemed himself as an actor and I would like to believe Good Time had a hand in that. It’s hard to believe but Pattinson has an English accent but there is no hint of that in this film. Pattinson perfectly conveys a young man who is trying everything to break out his brother with some of the anger and confusion that comes with it. The film also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Barkhad Abdi, and Benny Safdie. Unfortunately, they are mostly in the film for a scene two, with the notable exception being Safdie, who appears at the very beginning and end of the film.

As mentioned before, Good Time makes the audience anxious due to the fast paced the film goes. What helps make the film go fast is the anxiety filled soundtrack from Oneohtrix Point Never. The score perfectly compliments the feeling Connie goes through the entire film. He is trying to break his brother from jail, therefore must act fast. With this, everything around him goes fast and he is moving at a fast speed. When viewing the film, the score was almost reminiscent of Uncut Gems, a synth filled score that keeps the audience engaged. Behind the camera is Sean Price Williams, who serves as the film’s cinematographer. He also does a great job for his work for the film, as he doesn’t make Good Time as a big Hollywood film. He filmed the scenes as it were real and it has a guerrilla style to it.

Overall, Good Time is a film that that takes an audience for a ride due to the fantastic direction and writing. Its star Robert Pattinson is electrifying in this fast paced film. It’s safe to say Good Time and Uncut Gems proved that the Safdie Brothers are up and coming directors to look out for in the future.

3.5/4