10 Cloverfield Lane

3 and 1/2 Nuts!

There is something refreshing when a film releases its first trailer less than two months before it debuts. It is a confident yet risky move, limiting both hype and expectations.  Perhaps the producer, J.J Abrams is making a statement, that a film's success can occur on its own merit without months of traditional Hollywood promotions.  Time will tell if this was a smart choice depending on box office sales. Regardless, it is a bold move on the studio's part, but one that allows the audience to go in with an open mind.  Whatever your expectations may be they will not only be met, but surpassed.

The film focuses around Michelle, who after a terrible car accident wakes up chained to a pipe in a small underground room.  It is apparent she is being held captive; however,  her captor may not be the worst of her troubles.  Within the opening minutes of the film we are thrust into this nightmarish universe via a masterful title sequence.  It is brilliantly edited, highlighting her car crash and instantly engages the audience faster than any film in recent memory.

With little backstory the audience doesn't feel forced to care for Michelle, instead it happens organically through her actions and conversations.  The dire setting of the film strips the characters down to their core leaving them vulnerable. We gain a certain feeling of closeness to Michelle and she becomes someone you care about and want to see survive.

Although 10 Cloverfield Lane takes elements from other genres, it manages to keep us guessing. There is such uncertainty in every decision Michelle makes--who she should trust and if the wrong move will lead to her untimely demise. Our protagonist's danger feels real as does her own mortality. It creates a high level of suspense, making us feel more uneasy as the story progresses.

With only three characters in the entire film,  a good deal of scrutiny can be placed on the individual performances.  All three excel, bringing to life individuals who each have emotional depth and separate motivations.  The stand out performance comes from John Goodman who turns what could have been a very one dimensional character into a complicated multilayered psycho.  It brought back feelings of the film Misery, with Kathy Bates who plays a similar role-- motherly at times but capable of snapping at a moment's notice.  This type of character's unpredictability create tension in any scene they are in.

If there is one gripe with the movie, it is that the ending goes a tad over the top, taking what is a small scale film and really amping it up in terms of scope.  Some may find this jarring but I found it gave a real sense of closure to Michelle's character arc.  

In a nut shell: This is a tremendous piece of film making. Despite the film's unfamiliar setting and circumstance, the characters still feel relatable.  Not only does it play with audience expectation prior to viewing (due to its untraditional release), it also adds a fresh twist on some ideas we have seen before.  From start to finish the score remains haunting and adds its own layer of suspense to an already tense film.  Don't be surprised to find yourself  with fists clenched and mouth ajar.   It is a great addition to what the director calls the  "Clovervesrse" and I look forward to future stories from this world. (3.5 out of 4)