Together + Naked Singularity + Demonic
The latest pandemic-set film with a production dictated by COVID-19 protocols, Stephen Daldry’s Together follows in the domestic quarantine tradition of Doug Liman’s Locked Down, but takes a far more theatrical approach to our unfortunately ongoing health crisis. Written by Dennis Kelly (Utopia), the series of long-take, two-hander dialogue pieces directed at the camera delve deep into the travails of a man (James McAvoy) and woman (Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe) on the cusp of breaking up, but forced to share a space with their preteen son Artie (Samuel Logan) until local restrictions lift.
Through these showcases for the adult cast, viewers witness the authentic evolution of a relationship and how it's impacted by close quarters, eliciting a rollercoaster of fondness and hatred for each other, plus caustic commentary on the U.K.’s response to the coronavirus. And while it would probably work as a stage play, even though the direct addresses wouldn't be as universally intimate, Daldry lights and frames the action so well, enacts enough camera movements, and encourages such distinctly cinematic performances that it belongs onscreen. Grade: B-plus. Rated R.
Screen Media Films
The Great John Boyega Star Wars Shedding continues with Naked Singularity, a well-made, entertaining adaptation of the Sergio De La Pava novel that doubles as a promising feature directorial debut for It co-writer Chase Palmer. Following the stressful existence of young New York City public defender Casi (Boyega), the film intelligently blends social justice commentary with quasi-sci-fi elements as he glimpses odd imagery in his daily life that suggest otherworldly or multiverse interference.
The surprise return of attractive former client Lea (the ever-reliable Olivia Cooke) and her link to an impounded SUV full of cocaine brings with it appealing Trainspotting-like “change your life” risks, and the resulting machinations around skeezy criminal Craig (Ed Skrein, natch) are rife with thrills and humor. The believable chemistry between Boyega and Cooke elevate the already strong material, and sharp supporting turns by Bill Skarsgård and Tim Blake Nelson seal the deal. Grade: B-plus. Rated R. Available to rent via Amazon Video, iTunes, and other streaming platforms
IFC Midnight
Demonic feels like the kind of work that genre film festival attendees would see late at night and hail as the work of a promising young director with a bright future. But inform them that this occasionally creative twist on the exorcism sub-genre is from Neill Blomkamp (District 9; Elysium) and they’re likely to ask if you’re certain, then significantly dial back their enthusiasm.
Though capably shot, the tale of Carly (Carly Pope, Elysium) agreeing to engage with her comatose criminal mother Angela (Nathalie Boltt, District 9) via an experimental computer simulation proves overly reliant on the visual appeal of the virtual space. Each of these pixelated, rotoscope-like moments are by far the film’s strongest, yet not enough attention is spent on the story itself, which clunkily weaves in a subplot involving a Vatican black ops unit dedicated to eradicating evil forces. If this kind of mediocrity is all Blomkamp is able to produce in a studio-distrusting, post-Chappie world, so be it, but based on his track record, he’s clearly capable of much more. Grade: C-plus. Rated R. Available to rent via Amazon Video, iTunes, and other streaming platforms
(Photo: Bleecker Street/Peter Mountain)
