‘Inheritance’ Review: Phoebe Dynevor Chases Her Father’s Love, Pursued by Interpol in Lo-Fi Globetrotting Thriller

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The film “Inheritance” may initially appear as a movie relying on its unique concept: a spy thriller filmed entirely using an iPhone, featuring scenes shot in public without permits for enhanced realism and spontaneity. However, this production by Neil Burger (“Divergent,” “Limitless,” “The Illusionist”), who collaborated on the script with renowned spy novelist Olen Steinhauer, manages to rise above mere novelty. Despite its extensive international backdrop and suggestions of grave danger, the movie essentially unfolds as a deeply personal drama revolving around a daughter (Phoebe Dynevor) uncovering her estranged father’s (Rhys Ifans) true identity. The revelation she discovers is painful, yet it offers sufficient dramatic impact to elevate this release from IFC Films, premiering in theaters on Friday, beyond being just another low-budget action film featuring familiar stars.

Maya (Dynevor) is initially portrayed as a melancholic young woman in Manhattan, stealing alcohol from a convenience store and later engaging in sex without joy at a nightclub with an unnamed man. It’s not until later that we understand the source of her sadness – she had spent the majority of the previous year nursing a terminally ill mother who has recently passed away, leaving her bereaved and adrift. At her mother’s funeral, her elder sibling Jess (Kersti Bryan) murmurs, “I can’t believe he showed up,” hinting at their estranged father Sam (Ifans). After being absent from their lives for years, he now seems contrite and regretful, aiming to make amends. To do so, he proposes that Maya assist him in attracting foreign investors for high-end real estate deals. Initially hesitant, but also yearning for a diversion, Maya agrees to accompany her father on the next flight to Cairo.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I found myself drawn into a thrilling tale where the protagonist reluctantly responds to my questions, hinting at some business dealings that might border on money laundering for questionable individuals. His past is further unveiled as he admits to engaging in occasional espionage work. However, it’s during dinner at our destination that things take a dramatic turn. Dad abruptly leaves the table, fails to return, and then calls his daughter, urging her to flee the restaurant immediately. Just as she complies, a group of law enforcement officials storm in, alerted to Sam’s presence within. It appears he is a man in high demand, targeted by heavyweights like Interpol, whose familiar visage flickers across the screen occasionally (represented here by “24” actor Necar Zadegan), as well as less scrupulous figures.

In the care of his reliable associate Khalil (Majd Eid), Maya receives another urgent phone call. It appears that her father has been kidnapped and is being held hostage by unidentified captors, who demand she retrieve an item they claim to have paid for, which later turns out to be classified state secrets. After slipping past Khalil, Maya embarks on a journey; first by airplane to New Delhi, then by train to Mumbai, followed by another flight to Seoul. Along this perilous path, she is relentlessly pursued by various agents. As the trip progresses, doubts about her father’s allegiances and whether he has been truthful with her escalate.

In the context of unauthorized filming, Maya navigates various exotic locations, often pursued on foot, by taxi, or motorbike, devoid of the usual high-octane action scenes such as gunfights and stunts. The movie “Inheritance” maintains a raw, mobile camera feel, yet fails to deliver the thrill or tension one might expect from an action flick. This is understandable given that our lead character isn’t like Jason Bourne; she’s a young person struggling in a foreign environment, lacking language skills and relevant expertise, trying her best to cope with situations mostly informed by phone calls.

As the truth unfolds about her manipulation, it becomes evident that this story isn’t about a grand worldwide scheme. Rather, it resembles one where long-held hopes for a reformed wayward parent are dashed, confirming deepest fears instead. The earlier mysterious events serve as a prelude to intense and uncomfortable conversations between father and daughter, which carry a powerful emotional impact. In essence, this reminds me of Dynevor’s previous work, “Fair Play,” where the tension leading to explosive personal confrontations is similarly palpable, despite the different narrative settings.

The portrayal of Maya in the movie is somewhat restrictive due to her being manipulated as a simple piece in a larger game, yet Dynevor effortlessly shows the charisma needed to carry this entire production. Ifans, who appears mainly at the beginning and end, uses subtlety to his advantage; when Sam’s true intentions are revealed, his persistent display of insincere niceties intensifies the grotesque nature of his feigned paternal concern.

As a fan, I can’t help but appreciate the unique blend of visual storytelling in this production, crafted by Jackson Hunt’s exceptional cinematography and Nick Carew’s rapid-fire editing pace. However, what truly sets it apart are the stylistic elements contributed by Paul Leonard-Morgan’s electronica-infused score and Joe Rudge’s eclectic choice of pre-existing tracks as a music supervisor.

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2025-01-22 06:17