The Guilty (2021) Movie Review
DESCRIPTION:
This was an assignment I did at Centennial College in my "Multimedia" course; taught by Susan Legge. She assigned the class a movie review and wanted us to write it and grade it as professionally as possible. It was an opinion-based project but I had to give valid reasons as to why I felt that way about the movie.
This thriller/crime film is a dramatic adaptation of the 2018 original Danish film, “The Guilty”. This adaptation is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role as a 911 dispatcher who becomes involved in a stressful and frightening scenario involving a kidnapped woman named Emily. As the plot unfolds the audience is drawn deeper into the mystery and suspense of the situation which keeps them on the edge of their seat until the very end.
The Guilty is a masterpiece of suspense and tension. The movie works fast, with each scene and piece of information adding to the growing fear that permeates the film. As Joe becomes increasingly involved in Emily's case, the emotions grow, leaving the spectator to wonder how it will all end. Jake Gyllenhaal had a very strong and moving portrayal of a man fighting with his own troubles. He's on screen for nearly the whole film, and his imposing presence keeps the audience's attention. Gyllenhaal is backed up by a solid ensemble cast that includes Riley Keough as the enigmatic and elusive Emily and Ethan Hawke as SGT. Bill Miller whom Joe enlists to help him.
Antoine Fuqua deserves credit for creating such a tense and claustrophobic environment. Even though the movie occurs inside the boundaries of the dispatch centre, it never feels stationary or repetitious. Fuqua keeps the viewer interested with unique camera angles and brilliant editing, and he builds suspense with each passing minute. One of The Guilty's most striking aspects is how it manages to communicate a complicated and layered tale with a relatively simple setup. Gyllenhaal carries the weight of the story on his shoulders throughout the picture, which is virtually a one-man show. Nevertheless, the film never seems confined or constricted. Nic Pizzolatto's script is brilliantly written, with unexpected developments that always keep the viewer wondering what will happen next.
Despite the film having its strengths it does also have some weak points. Even though some people like to analyze it themselves during the film; average viewers get no context to truly understand Gyllenhaal’s character. The movie never fully developed his backstory and motives which will cause confusion. Simultaneously it relies only on dialogue and Gyllenhaal’s acting. There are some who enjoy the film specifically because of his performance and being able to captivate people just by his acting. Others are disappointed mainly because it wasn’t visually stimulating to them. A film like this has the same strengths and weaknesses because it all depends on the viewer.
This film is definitely a must-watch unless you prefer action or visuals. However, for those who really enjoy a dedicated acting performance regardless of setting and plot then this movie is for you. Simply put, The Guilty is an excellent film that manages to be both intimate and grand, with a standout performance from Jake Gyllenhaal at the core of it.
Plot: 8.3/10
Attraction: 2/10
Acting: 9.6/10
Theme: 3.4/10
