At World’s End.
141 Mins. Starring: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la & Kevin Bacon. Screenplay: Sam Esmail. Director: Sam Esmail. On: Netflix.
When the rain starts to pour, and the world comes to an end, this movie will be here for you like a 'Friends' reference that feels fitting in this film after we lost the dear, comedic legend Matthew Perry, last month. Netflix, have been there before, here's looking at the apocalypse then of 'Don't Look Up' starring megastars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, 'Wonka' (also out this week), Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep. This star-studded affair focusing on the end of the world as rapid eye movements knew it, billed by Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'a and Kevin Bacon feels more akin to the 'Mother' of all Netflix psychological mindf### movies in 'I'm Thinking Of Ending Things' starring a breakout Jessie Buckley ('The Lost Daughter', also from the streaming service). Especially with the cluster-screw of a confusing ending that compounds it all. Still, with a world that's felt like it's been ticking since the "millennium bug" and then the very real COVID pandemic, why not 'Leave The World Behind'?
Based on the book of the same name and lane by Rumann Alam ('Rich and Pretty', 'That Kind Of Mother') and adapted and directed by Sam Esmail ('Mr. Robot', 'Homecoming', 'Comet'), 'World Behind' reaches the deep impact Higher Ground of Barack and Michelle Obama, presidential productions. Attaching their name to this Netflix film like they did Colman Domingo's Oscar favourite Civil Right movie 'Rustin' and the 'American Symphony' of a Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad documentary this fall. Although this latest Netflix episode frustratingly feels more like 'The Old Guard' of their big-budget and name 'The Gray Man' blusters, rather than 'Passing' The Academy bar of say 'The Irishman', or 'Marriage Story' (not to mention, 'Rustin'). Something that frustratingly feels all too familiar to something this most successful streaming service seems to subscribe too. As their big home cinema movies, seem to miss the mark of their prestige TV shows like 'Squid Game', 'Stranger Things', 'Ozark' and (SAVE) 'Glow'. Talk about being desperate to see a last episode. Maybe something doesn't translate when it's not on the big-screen, like trying to watch Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' on your phone, but that doesn't account for most N movies being off-pace and kilter in the way they probably think you are bingeing and pausing it on a train to work. Now, I promise you, that's not what I'm doing. Honest.
'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner' meets '10 Cloverfield Lane' with a 'Knock At The Cabin' in an apocalyptic piece of cataclysm cinema that stares through the peephole at the who, not at the why, or what. Meeting a classic moment of cinematography juxtaposition as a split screen sees a well-dressed family at the door of their own home, rented by the casual Friday attired holiday homers, armed with their suspicions and the nearest thing to hand. One is black, one is white. You be the judge of who's who, but don't you dare dismiss the grey areas lying in this, man. The mystery of 'Moonlight' and 'Green Book' double Oscar winner Marhershala Ali's refined character is 'True Detective' deep, but at a 'Blade' tipping point. We'd say the knockout Ali is an acting descendant of Poitier and Washington (Denzel was originally meant to make a 'Pelican Brief' reunion with Roberts) with how he carries himself and his acting talents. But then wouldn't we just be playing into the 'Green Book' like tired stereotypes of only comparing actors to their own race? Like every white ball player to Larry Bird. We're just comparing like for like greatness here, though. Throw the manual and script out and watch Ali float like a butterfly, dancing with Julia. Kudos to whoever picked favourite Blackstreet's 'Let's Stay In Love' for the soundtrack, too. We hope it was Roberts. The fact that she was the one who caught all that crap for some dumb Hollywood exec suggesting she should play Harriet Tubman is still so ridiculous. It wasn't her fault, but the one of a tone deaf industry. Let's not make the same mistakes.
Let's just say Mahershala is his own man, worthy of recognition for just one name, like the great Myha'la. It's Julia Roberts who heads this class cast though, which also features a scene-stealing, sizzling with red cap rage Kevin Bacon. Is her character thinking through misplaced misanthropy, or just the sadly as American as apple pie, racism? One thing's for sure, the 'Pretty Woman' and 'Erin Brokovich' icon keeps bringing the deep dramatic acting. We still can't get over her taking Lucas Hedges to a cemetery in 'Ben is Back' and asking where his drug addicted character wants to be buried. Yet in all this white noise of oil tanker's and Tesla's running riot (that has got Elon Musk all in a tizzy), not to mention more deer staring at you than Nara Park in Japan during corona when there were no cookies, it's our best actor Ethan Hawke giving us the speech of his life that really resonates. Calling himself a useless man, in this world of many, despite the fact that unanimously this actor is anything but, adding to his acclaim. Leave all the Oscar and saving the world stuff behind for the superheroes and stars, though. This one forces you to put your phone down and take notice. No longer stuck in second gear, like it hasn't been your day, your week...you know how the rest of the calendar goes. Don't have a phobia of no tech in your reach. C'mon, just leave it. After all, it's not the end of the world. Right? TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Don't Look Up', 'Knock At The Cabin', '10 Cloverfield Lane'.
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