raycevick

Raycevick's Recommendations: Knives Out

Added 2020-07-27 13:00:06 +0000 UTC

Rian Johnson.

I wouldn't have predicted years ago watching Breaking Bad's "Fly" or Looper, that the man would become such a polarizing figure in Hollywood, and not because of those movies but one in particular.

I was pleased then when watching this movie that none of that discussion, controversy, or history, really seem to impact this film from being easily the best of Rian's work (haven't seen Brick yet). It's funny, fast-paced, and compelling but not in mystery, rather, just the scenario itself.

The film's marketed as a "Rian Johnson Whodunnit" which I think is what played up "subverting exceptions" phrase to the point of being a meme. In actuality, the film is quite straight forward, and what's entertaining to watch is how these characters behave. There's not a weak link in the actors, and even have great chemistry in the scenes that this crazy family all gather in.

Perhaps it's because I went in expecting Sherlock Season 4 levels of pretentious, but Knives Out I had a fun time watching, and really hope that of all things, James Bond take influence from this. Because Craig never got to play Bond as the character, who's just doing a job, where in Knives Out, he does, and does so very, very well.