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While I haven't seen a new film in a fair old while I feel now is as good a time as any to review this cinematic escapade directed and written by Jordan Peele that was released earlier this year. I saw the beginning of this film at the most recent meeting of the Sussex sci-fi and horror society at which point I remembered that I had seen the film a couple of times recently. Those couple of times sadly not being enough to leave enough of an impact on me to remember the film all that much.
One of those times was on a flight back from holiday in the US and the other was recently when I was drunk and watching a bunch of films on streaming services with a bag of McDonalds cheese bites in hand. Probably not the best scenarios to watch such an inventive film as this. However, upon further reflection after viewing the first third of the film with the people at Sussex Uni I came to the sad conclusion that I just don't like this film a great deal. Again, I need to reiterate, this may be because of what the circumstances were in which I saw the film but I can't help how I feel about it.
And this is unfortunate considering what a talented and attractive cast we have on hand here. Daniel Kaluuya's turn as main protagonist Chris is one of the most endearing turns as a main character to come out of a new release this year or in 2016. Other standout performances include Bradley Whitford as a mysterious and somewhat unsuspecting father figure, Betty Gabriel as a strangely repressed individual who looks like she's about to crack in every shot or Allison Williams playing Chris' girlfriend Rose. However, an inventive setting for a horror/thriller film and a talented cast cannot save a film if it is not well executed or delivered.
And while Peele clearly cares about his craft and puts his all into the writing and directing of this film it just comes off as a bit clunky. Now this isn't to say that I do not think he can write or direct well but this isn't the best example of his talents in this area. I do personally prefer his comedic talents when he's acting off of his buddy Keele on the TV. But in all fairness, I do think there is still plenty of time and space for improvement in his cinematic writing and directing. Actually, one of the stranger examples of the writing and directing not always being on point in Get Out is Lil Rel Howery as the comedic best friend sidekick to Chris named Rod. Rod isn't the most positive impact of a character in the film because his light-hearted comedy does not gel well with the dark tones of the horror scenes. Now this isn't to say that a comedic character contrasting against dark tones and imagery can't be done well or at all but the mark was missed by some distance here. When we get the comedic scenes as compared to the horror counterparts throughout the film, it feels like Peele is making horror film and a comedy short at the same time but mashing them together without any proper unity. The horror is good and the comedy, while not great, is still decent but they are just not well put together both individually or in combination.
If there is anything to say about the plot its that it may be the best thought-out part of the film, at least in concept. If anything, I would recommend seeing this film for its creative narrative. While the majority of the individual aspects constituting this film are not all that well combined together, the narrative is the one main constant that keeps the spine of the movie glued together. I'll leave most of it to you lot to find out for yourself for when you come to watch the film (if you choose to of course) but I would recommend reading one or two synopsis about Get Out to at least get a good sense of what you're in for going into this experience. To put it briefly though, Chris is going with his girlfriend out into the countryside to meet her family and parents in particular but out intrepid young hero starts noticing strange behaviour among the helpers and housekeepers of the local estate. With his mind wandering to suspicious horizons, Chris must figure out if he is under threat and if he is, how much time does he have to realise to what extent he is in danger? A great setup to be sure, and one that is, at the very least, interesting to study.
To conclude, Get Out has one of the most creative narratives of any film released this year but its let down by a great deal of unrealised potential and unbalanced execution. There is a lot of talent on show here, especially in regards to the lighting, acting and sound design but most of the individual aspects, as good as they are, aren't cohesive enough. The film isn't flat out bad though and like I said above, the acting in many cases is genuinely really good. Add to this the aforementioned cool concept of a story, atmospheric lighting and sound design and you have a decently tense thriller. At least the film succeeds in that regard.
Camerawork/cinematography: 7.5/10
Directing: 4.75/10
Writing: 4.5/10
Acting: 8/10
Concept/narrative: 8.5/10
Overall rating: 33.25/50
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