1) An award-winning director taking on a genre that
isn't considered "Oscar bait".
The last time we saw Steve McQueen, it was in 2014
when he accepted the Best Film Oscar for his film 12 Years a Slave. Widows is
a heist film at heart Even if you broaden that to a crime film, the only time
something like that really gets Oscar love is when it's tied to an already
established auteur like Martin Scorsese. McQueen brings his considerable
talents to the genre by making something with a conscience, that has a lot on
its mind. Inside this movie about the widows of thieves completing their
husbands' final job after they are killed, is an examination of race, class,
and loss. But it's also violent, tense, and occasionally thrilling.
2) A mix of serious actors who know how to play and
actors known for lightweight roles looking to make something heavier.
There's a broad spectrum of actors in this (Everyone
wants to work with McQueen, it seems), but at the center is Viola Davis. Davis
is one good song away from being an EGOT (the hard way). She is among the most
respected actresses in Hollywood. Remember, she's also the best thing in
Suicide Squad.
I have no trouble believing the 53 year old actress could lead an action movie.
While that's not quite her role in Widows, it still says a great deal
about what she brings to the role. Her husband in the movie is Liam Nesson, the
king of the late career popcorn shift. This man was Oskar Schindler once upon a
time, and now he's best known for his "special set of skills". That's
quite a shift. Davis' primary costars are Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth
Debicki, and Cynthia Erivo. Rodriguez is best known for Fast and Furious
movies. Because of movies like that, she's had a lot of experience grounding
larger than life stories. Debicki is mostly unknown still. You'd be surprised
to see how many movies she's in that you've seen though. This is the kind of
breakout she's been looking for. Also, this doesn't matter at all, but before
this movie, I didn't realize how tall she was. She's gotta be 6ft, easy. She
towers over her costars. Erivo only recently moved from the stage to the
screen with Bad Times at the El Royale, which is a much
different kind of grounded genre film. Carrie Coon, Robert Duvall, Colin
Farrell, Jacki Weaver: the whole cast has been on both sides of the box
office/critically praise spectrum. And that's not even getting to Brian Tyree
Henry as the crime kingpin trying go legit and Daniel Kaluuya who gets a
surprising amount out of a one-note enforcer role. This whole cast is terrific
and understands the tone of the movie perfectly. Davis is a force.
3) Screenplay by a respected writer who tends to be
the ignored part of their movies.
Gillian Flynn adapted her own book, Gone Girl, which netted an
Oscar nomination for Rosamund Pike and a
heap of praise for director David Fincher. However, I'd argue that the
screenplay (somehow not nominated for an Oscar) is the strongest part of that
movie (which I've rewatched many times). She and McQueen co-wrote the Widows
screenplay. It's an efficient screenplay that juggles stories and twists
without ever getting dull.
4) It premieres at a Film Festival, but not a stuffy
one.
Cannes is almost too proper to get an Oscar.
Telluride or Venice are where you go to become an Oscar front-runner. SXSW is
more populist. Sundance is a little too hip. The place to be if you want to be
"Prestige Popcorn" is the Toronto International Film Festival. The
film selection there isn't as heavily curated. It's more open to the public. It's
still in the Fall Oscar season window. AFI Fest or the New York Film Festival
are good too, but Toronto is the best if a movie wants to be critically lauded,
generally liked by everyone, and still have a couple things explode.
That just about sums up my thoughts about the movie
too. Viola Davis is great and her costars give her plenty to play off. The
screenplay is loaded with ideas that are all well-explored. McQueen's direction
is every bit as elegant as his arthouse movies. There's one scene in particular
that's all shot from the exterior of a car that, once you realize what it's
doing, brilliantly sums up the entire movie. This is a great movie whether you
are in the mood for an art house movie or a fun heist movie. In short, it's
prestige popcorn.
One Last Thought: There's a dog in the movie. Viola Davis brings it
everyone, and I don't blame her, because it's adorable. Even without the dog, I
would've really liked the movie. With it, I loved the movie.
Verdict (?): Strongly Recommend
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