In Chan-Woon Park’s first English language movie, ooky kooky
teen India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska now does Malice in Wonderland) loses her dad in a
car accident. Before even changing the bedsheets, winsome mum Evelyn (Nicole
Kidman) has moved creepy “hmmm where has he been all these years?” Uncle
Charlie (Matthew Goode) into the house and suddenly the housekeeper is put on
ice.
For all its pretentions of mystery and suspense, as the
supporting cast drop like flies, smarmy unlikable Charlie is so obviously a
wrong’un there is little sense of shock or surprise in his actions or backstory.
By toning down the dark looks and giving the characters some
empathetic traits this Manson/Addams Family mash-up might have been an
interesting look at the consequences of hidden family secrets, patriarchy and elicit desire
but as it stands these people deserve each other and we don’t root for any of
them. It ends in a predictable risible mess in all sorts of ways.
As you’d expect with such a stylised a director there are
some classy looking set pieces, framing and motifs. But window dressing is a bit redundant
if there’s nothing in the shop. Lots of staring, little caring – a big
disappointment.
4/10
Agreed
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