REVIEW: THE UNFORGIVABLE

3.5/5

Forgive Me Not. 

114 Mins. Starring: Sandra Bullock, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jon Bernthal, Richard Thomas, Linda Emond, Aisling Franciosi, Rob Morgan & Viola Davis. Director: Nora Fingscheidt. 

Unforgivable like the bitter version of a Nat King Cole classic, Sandra Bullock is unforgettable too as she takes off the 'Bird Box' blindfold for her new deal with Netflix. 'Bruised' like Halle Berry's directed MMA fighter, Bullock is at her brutal best going all in, out the cage. Able to duke it out with the Sports Illustrated dubbed 'Monster's Brawl' of Berry for the title this award season. In two of the greatest shots of redemption since a prisoner made 'The Mustang' his cell mate, from two 90's icons of the golden era like MJ. This last waltz this fall from Sandra sees her dance with the devil however, playing a cop killer. Truly 'The Unforgivable' like the 'Unforgiven' British ITV series from Sally Wainwright that this movie is was based upon. Even in this weary world of police brutality, how can you get behind a character like this in a tough watch that will have you wanting to look away more times than that "red light, green light" doll in 'Squid Game'? Well...just watch. On the surface this may look like the only thing worse would be to see that almost laughable if it wasn't horrendous Hollywood pitched idea to have Julia Roberts play Harriet Tubman (blame the studio, not Julia. Her name was just being thrown around and used. Her reputation shouldn't be in this cancelling world of pitch forks not always aimed true and the right way). But the 'Gravity' of this is a powerful performance of real acclaim amongst something that sometimes plays like the Sunday matinée of another melodrama on your channel hopping television set. It's like when a mothering Julia Roberts gave us her all, from 'Pretty Woman' to 'Erin Brokovich' and then 'Ben Is Back'. Or like when Sandra went from 'Speed' (whilst her co-star Keanu is resurrecting 'The Matrix' this weekend like a 'Lake House' reunion) to 'The Blind Side', to now this. The blockbusters and the Oscar's have come. This is now just another legend crafting their cinematic legacy in the nuances of powerful performances that will go down in their storied career history, no matter what envelopes next February read like the wrong name on valentines. 

Release date like last week on the streaming service (apologies for the late pick-up. Its Christmas traffic. You're still waiting on that 'Squid Game' review, right? It's coming). A fistful of dollars and a couple of smirks like she's going to be revolving prison door right back. As she carries her cardboard like a fired employee her a thousand yard stare has only one thing on her mind. The millions of miles between her and her very younger sister she movingly played parent to after she too became a motherless child with dear Dad far from this world too. Flashbacks take us back to a time were holed up in a country home with a shotgun, standing by the phone she refuses to come out to the cop cars that have this place surrounded like no way out. Her sister sat below, crying on the kitchen floor. Then we hear a BANG! And see a body. It's got the unmistakable green beret like jacket of a trooper. One that radioed in like a friend. How is she going to get out of this one? How are WE going to make it through a movie of this nature? With Bullock's brilliant breaking point performance of humanity already broken, directed definitively by German director Nora Fingscheidt of 'System Crasher' 69th Berlin Film Festival and short film fame. Expect more run time for this real and raw director of gritty stories with shades of better and worse in earned, but not fully realised, redemptive arcs. Sandra's character is searching for more than forgiveness, but a connection with her sibling. No matter how severed it is as post traumatic stress on the child now all grown up induces a sort of amnesia that may be the victim of time and pain. Or as a matter of fact may just be the spells of protection we put ourselves under to shield from the hurt. If this is all an act from the sister then it's done with understandable and understated brilliance by 'The Fall's' Aisling Franciosi, who even in this bruised movies ailing moments gives this story its soul. 

Forgiveness is earned though and this movie seeks that with every emotion. Former John-Boy 'Walton' of the old Stephen King 'It' and 'The Americans' Richard Thomas and Tony Award theatrical 'Death Of A Salesman' actress Linda Emond are compelling in their good intentions and protections as new parents just trying to foster a safe and loving home for their new daughter. Not knowing the true story and the whole truth like a Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes miniseries which is not that, but it's as real as it gets for one of the biggest surprises of the year. This one may be hidden between 'The Power Of The Dog' and all that's 'Passing' as Academy material this fall, but Netflix still bring out the big guns alongside one of the world's most famous, biggest actresses. Just like the 'Mudbound' star of every Netflix street-level Marvel show Rob Morgan who seems to be in everything on the streaming service. And we have absolutely no problem with that for the new Gary Sinise who is perfectly official, but also understanding as Sandra's parole officer. As she gets a punishing job cutting up fishscale like Ghostface Killah she meets another anti-hero in the form of Frank Castle's Jon Bernthal. And here the charismatic when he's not loading them up in the clinical chamber with perfect precision actor who just stole the serve, holding court in Will Smith's 'King Richard', brings some contagious joy to this clinically depressed movie, desperate for some hope. He's touching and real, even in the face of  turning cheeks of battered and burnt hearts. The genuine grit of this man hidden behind a charismatic charm is his ever convincing calling card. You can tell he's a good guy, built for this. Like the kindly Kingpin of Vincent D'Onofrio if that wasn't enough for your Marvel's. I know you're getting excited for a Fiskful of Wilson right now, but this other bearded and friendly side of Vincent is what makes this man bring more meaning to his revered rules too. Sure he and Jon don't meet for a Kingpin and Punisher reunion that last saw them trade hands and metal table slams in prison as orange is their new black, but D'Onofrio's wedded turn with Viola Davis is pure bliss. Until their peaceful home is given a rude awakening and the 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' star gets to show us why she's the greatest actress of our generation, not letting Sandra Bullock's 'Unforgivable' get away with murder. Bringing that 'Fences' emotion to some Eastwood like get off my lawn ace acting she goes at it with Bullock, serving a duel that is better than most mainstream movies final fight. Who needs Fisk and Castle outside the four walls? This is hers and she won't let Sandra storm the walls without a damn good explanation. 'The Unforgivable' works hard for your forgiveness and at the end of the day and by the time this comes to a close that's something we can all accept. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Bird Box', 'Bruised', 'The Mustang'.