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'The Box' review
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Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Finally, when one opens The Box, there's something new inside! Plus, this Box is big enough to get into and let your thoughts run wild. Translation, an original story with depth. Director Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko), takes a short story and expands it to a 116 minute phenomenon. What one sees in the trailer is just the tip of the iceberg. For there is an expansive story, that could have been taken out of a Stephen King novel. Fortunately, this movie turned out better than any of King's adaptations.
If you missed the trailer, our story begins with a random box left outside the modest home of Arthur (James Marsden) and Norma Lewis (Cameron Diaz). The time period is 1977 in Richmond, Virginia. Arthur, Norma, and their son Walter (Sam Oz Stone), all open the random box together. They find a note with the box saying that someone will be dropping by to explain what the deal is with the item. As advertised, Arlington Steward (Frank Langella) shows up looking very dapper and sincere, aside from the obvious disfigurement on his face. Since it's 1977, Norma easily lets the well-dressed Mr. Steward into her home and he explains the box. Real simple, hit the button, million dollars and someone dies. Or do nothing, and he takes the box away in 24 hours. Imagine if this was the present time, people would be dropping like flies.
From there, the audience sees the current situation of the Lewis family. This leads to Arthur and Norma having some sort of brainstorming session on whether to push the button. Their decision is made and one of the two options are upheld by Mr. Steward. However, the happily married couple start to notice some strange behaviors by people around them. A bit of amateur detective work by both of them, reveal that they are involved in a conspiracy that is beyond comprehension.
Let's start with the atmosphere. The flick is depicted right before Christmas time in 1977 and the set designs were right on point in projecting the atmosphere. Even the "Lewis's" home was well put together and the detailed work is appreciated. First half of the movie reminds one of an old-school thriller in the vein of Hitchcock perhaps. The musical score, although simple and light-hearted at times, it gave off a creepy vibe which enhanced many scenes. Some may say it was an old-school approach, and that style also was evident in the pacing of the script. This flick gives the audience a steady build for it explores the characters and they mystery behind the main plot. Just over the half-way point, coherent answers start to come to the forefront and then switches gears on a dime.
The first half of the movie is taking its time, but when it decides to open, the whole dynamic changes. Box teases the audience with some type of real conspiracy and turns it upside down into a whole other realm. Yes, it can be a sudden shift and perhaps awkward, but the movie pulls it off and the "new" story is explored. All of a sudden the climax is upon the audience, and it's apparent the pace of the flick has quickened. A few minor continuity issues happen here because of this, and some character's actions come into question. If you have patience though and stay with the direction, answers will be revealed in the following sequences.
Briefly on performances, all were solid. Even Cameron Diaz doing a Southern accent is easy on the ears. Frank Langella's character is obviously one wants more of. Speaking of wanting more, the ending may be a letdown of sorts. Everything does get tied together and the metaphoric meaning behind the material, makes one understand why it wraps up the way it does. The film purposely does this to extract a thought provoking response from the viewers. Then again, some people just want answers to everything. Remember, it's a movie and it's supposed to blur the lines of reality.
Overall, this movie is carefully crafted, with a constant developing story, that covers a full spectrum of genres. The transitions are smooth enough to avoid any pacing or length issues. Buried in this mysterious story, is a moral argument that balances out the Hollywood writing. The Box is one that puts you in another world, where all you want to do is keep exploring.
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