A Quiet Place

John Krasinski's post-apocalyptic family drama was one of the more interesting films this year. This is an example of finding a unique idea, and following the premise through. If you think too long and hard about the setup, there are holes, but the setup allows for some brilliant tension building and well executed terrors. Krasinski's skill as an actor is established, but his skill behind the camera is a revelation: each shot is wonderfully composed and full of subtle details, the tension building scenes nerve-wracking and perfectly paced. By nature of the premise, the sound is a strong focus, as each and every sound has potentially lethal consequences and every footstep is accompanied by dread. This is another film meditating on the preparations and sacrifices of parenthood, and focuses intimately on the bond between these characters. Each member of the small cast delivers powerful performances, especially from the young actors. Unfortunately, in the last act much of the careful tension building goes out the window and there's a mad dash to the endgame with an ending that is a bit of a cop-out from rules the film spent time establishing. The film is gorgeous and the execution of the idea is excellent but there are elements of plot convenience so extreme, you'll either be enamored with the film enough to forgive or they will taint the experience. On the whole though, this is another film where acclaim is earned even if hyperbole is not. There are tantalizing hints at a larger world with different rules, and I am interested in seeing more.

B