Buried is a movie that could have been a masterpiece of suspense. It definitely had things about it that I admired but I think it failed as a whole to live up to its potential. Instead of a classic, I think it is a fairly solid film that will not be for everyone.
First the good; Ryan Reynolds actually shows some pretty impressive acting chops. I have never disliked the guy; he has been funny in his movies and is always likeable. He has just never been a draw for me to see a movie. Considering 100% of Buried features Reynolds in a coffin, his performance is important. He portrays very well the claustrophobia and terror of his predicament. I commend Reynolds and the director Rodrigo Cortes for taking a film that is simply a guy buried alive and turning it into a very intense movie that is never ever boring. The camera work inside that coffin is very inventive and used effectively to ratchet up the tension.
While the movie is all about Reynolds, there are supporting actors whom we hear on the phone. They are all pretty effective in their various roles, especially considering we never even see them.
The bad; while Reynolds does a very good job acting, the script does him a major disservice. He’s a pretty big jerk. Now I am not going to fault a guy for having a bad attitude when he has been buried alive, but there were many moments in the first 30 minutes of the movie where he frustrated the hell out of me with the way he was talking to people on the phone. I just kept thinking if you would stop screaming at people you may get better help. I have two other complaints. First off, there is a scene involving a snake that pops up in the second act that really strained believability for an otherwise reality based thriller. The last complaint, the film is incredibly cynical. Every possible way a person could screw him over, they do. Every possible way a corporation or the government could be evil it does. I didn’t think the political stuff was completely necessary in this story. None of the politics in the film offended me, I just felt like it made the entire world other than Reynolds character Paul the enemy. It felt like there was no possibility for a light at the end of this dark tunnel.
I would suggest checking this out if you are interested in seeing a Cortes and Reynolds take a risk and do something very different. Just remember the tone is unrelenting (not a bad thing) and desperate. But the pacing and acting are very impressive. The last line of the film is haunting and effective and wraps up the movie very well.
I definitely agree about the snake scene being a little contrived, but it was one of the more intense moments as well. Rarely does a movie make my heart race in suspense, but that scene did it.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're spot on about painting everyone else as the enemy...I thought the conversation with the representative from his company was over the top and unnecessary. But if you think about it, Cortes doesn't present any good or likeable characters. You pull for Reynolds to make it, but as you said, he's a jerk too. I'm not going to fault the movie for Reynolds not helping himself by being an a-hole to everyone...you see people everyday who belittle people they are expecting help from. It's probably the worst approach you can possibly take, but unfortunately it is prevalent in our society. But I will fault Cortes to a point for not providing any likeable characters. I can put myself in the coffin and you definitely "feel" the situation, but personally, I can't relate to Reynolds because I would have handled the situation much differently.
I agree. I was glad I watched it, not sure how soon I would watch again. I wish Reynolds would do more of this stuff and less of the romcom stuff. The phone recorded conversation with Ned Ryerson was over the top.
ReplyDelete"I wish Reynolds would do more of this stuff and less of the romcom stuff."
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. I've enjoyed his comedies, but if he goes the romcom route, he's dead to me. It's a shame to see talent wasted on that tripe.
I thought the trailer for this movie showed some promise, but I wasn't sure if I would actually watch it. After reading your review I think I might watch on TV one day. I just don't think I will ever be in the mood to sit through the whole thing. Oddly, enough I am watching a movie with Ryan Reynolds right now, Paper Man. Hopefully, he will have a good performance in this.
ReplyDeleteThis movie is awful! Ugh!! Glad you liked it though :)
ReplyDelete