As a seasoned cinephile who’s seen more than my fair share of remakes, I must say that “Speak No Evil” has pleasantly surprised me. In this case, it seems like they’ve managed to take the essence of a foreign gem and mold it into an engaging American film. James McAvoy‘s performance as Paddy is nothing short of spectacular – he’s like a fine wine that gets better with each scene!
Surprisingly, I found myself appreciating the American remake of a foreign film more than I initially expected. It used to seem like a symbol of uninspired creativity in this era of franchise dominance. But how does one transform a foreign success into a standalone cinema sensation? Blumhouse’s latest genre offering, “Speak No Evil,” provides an answer that seems almost too simple: Make it crowd-pleasing, and in this case, have James McAvoy unleash his inner beast after 80 minutes of delightfully tormenting his audience.
Similar to the original movie, James Watkins’ remake follows a couple, Ben and Louise, portrayed by Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis, who tested their trust in human kindness to extreme limits. In the beginning, they are shown lethargically on holiday in Italy with their 11-year-old daughter, Agnes (Alix West Lefler). Their trip takes an uplifting turn when they meet Paddy and his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), along with their mute, withdrawn son Ant (Dan Hough). As the weeks pass, life returns to normal in rainy, jobless London for Ben and Louise. However, they receive a surprising invitation to visit Paddy and Ciara’s countryside home for a weekend. This is a considerable length of time to spend with people barely known to them. Yet, these are their closest acquaintances since moving to Europe.
In a casual, unassuming manner, Watkins presents Paddy’s dusty countryside estate through a drone shot that could equally capture the devastation of a war-torn area. It’s evident this place is far from ideal, with unsightly artwork and grimy bedding scattered around. The cramped living conditions offer an additional unpleasant surprise: Agnes will have to sleep in the same room as Ant. Ben and Louise try to brush off the awkwardness, but it’s merely the beginning of a series of challenging ordeals they’ll face.
In a different phrasing: Taldrip’s “Speak No Evil” was an intense exploration of how strictly following unwritten social norms can trigger a powerful instinct for self-defense or escape. The remake, however, starts with similar tension but quickly loses its credibility due to McAvoy’s wide grin that seems more like a knife-laden smile. Despite the change in tone, this new version maintains Paddy’s roughness and transforms into a comedic portrayal of a troubled marriage, exacerbated by a bizarre vacation host with an unusual nature. Although it’s not typically his style, McAvoy demonstrates his ability to deliver exaggerated performances, as seen in his roles like the drug-addled bad cop in “Filth,” or the compassionate, multi-personality villain in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split.
In the film “Speak No Evil,” the actor delivers a strong performance, yet the movie fails to fully flesh out his character, Paddy. There are instances where he seems to make politically incorrect comments about Louise’s vegetarianism and displays a hint of misogyny in his interactions with Ben regarding their marriage. Moreover, there’s a suggestion of questionable behavior, such as a possible reference to pedophilia. However, these scattered elements do not coalesce into a consistent personality or ideology that could elevate the film to genuine provocation. McAvoy skillfully concludes several scenes with striking moments, like simulating oral sex during dinner and meticulously choreographing a “Cotton Eye Joe” dance routine. Unfortunately, despite these compelling performances, “Speak No Evil” doesn’t build much suspense from the character development as it predictably moves towards its expected conclusion.
Rather than deriving its dramatic core from the overall film, it’s Michael C. Hall’s performance as a supporting actor that shines most brightly in this movie. In “Speak No Evil,” the strained relationship at its heart is accentuated by Ben’s struggling masculinity serving as the foundation for their lack of action. The remake deviates significantly from the original film’s somber ending, opting instead to delve into a storyline similar to that of “Straw Dogs,” complete with crude British thugs, barricaded hallways, and a protagonist compelled to prove his manhood. The violence, while seemingly contrived, pales in comparison to the earlier display of bad manners. However, the prolonged periods of inaction between gunfire, powerfully portrayed by Hall, reinforces and enhances the film’s dark humor.
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2024-09-10 19:17