A review by Brooks Rich
Sometimes films are forgotten because people didn't bother to watch them when they came out. Some films don't make an impact when first released maybe it's not a film meant for mass appeal or maybe the studio dropped the ball when it comes to marketing. In Jeff Nichols case, it always seems to be a mix of both. He had some degree of success with the film Mud in 2012 – probably due in part to it being at the start of Matthew McConaughey's resurgence. Mud is a great film, but in 2016 Jeff Nichols released not only his best film so far, but one of the best films of the past five years, Midnight Special.
I usually write a plot summary in the second paragraph of a movie review – but I don't want to this time. All I'll say is Michael Shannon plays a man on the run with his son who are both being pursued by the FBI and a religious cult. Shannon is aided by the boy's mother, played by Kirsten Dunst, and a friend of Shannon's, played by Joel Edgerton. The film begins at what would typically be the second act of a normal film, the father and son on the run already. Most narratives would let us know beforehand what is going on. Not this film. It wants you to figure out things slowly as the film goes along.
I was blown away when I first watched Midnight Special. I went in having only seen one trailer and that trailer, luckily, didn't tell much about the film. This is one of the most unique films ever made. There's a bittersweet quality to it. It’s oddly paced. Like I said before, it's unlike other film narratives. A lot of the background in the first act of the film is only known to the characters and not the audience. The ending is so unexpected – but wholly satisfying at the same time. It all works.
Jeff Nichols is one of the best writer and directors working right now. His films all feel different from one another while also sharing some similarities. His character work is amazing. All of his characters are well-developed. They feel absolutely real. His strongest lead actor is probably Michael Shannon in Nichols first big breakout hit, Take Shelter. This film is also worth tracking down. Michael Shannon and Nichols have worked together four times and it's clear they have a good chemistry together.
I’m hoping this film is discovered by some people because of this blog. It is a beautiful and original movie. You won't be disappointed. It’s a good first taste of one of the better creators working today.
I usually write a plot summary in the second paragraph of a movie review – but I don't want to this time. All I'll say is Michael Shannon plays a man on the run with his son who are both being pursued by the FBI and a religious cult. Shannon is aided by the boy's mother, played by Kirsten Dunst, and a friend of Shannon's, played by Joel Edgerton. The film begins at what would typically be the second act of a normal film, the father and son on the run already. Most narratives would let us know beforehand what is going on. Not this film. It wants you to figure out things slowly as the film goes along.
I was blown away when I first watched Midnight Special. I went in having only seen one trailer and that trailer, luckily, didn't tell much about the film. This is one of the most unique films ever made. There's a bittersweet quality to it. It’s oddly paced. Like I said before, it's unlike other film narratives. A lot of the background in the first act of the film is only known to the characters and not the audience. The ending is so unexpected – but wholly satisfying at the same time. It all works.
Jeff Nichols is one of the best writer and directors working right now. His films all feel different from one another while also sharing some similarities. His character work is amazing. All of his characters are well-developed. They feel absolutely real. His strongest lead actor is probably Michael Shannon in Nichols first big breakout hit, Take Shelter. This film is also worth tracking down. Michael Shannon and Nichols have worked together four times and it's clear they have a good chemistry together.
I’m hoping this film is discovered by some people because of this blog. It is a beautiful and original movie. You won't be disappointed. It’s a good first taste of one of the better creators working today.
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