The Box (I) (2009)

A small wooden box arrives on the doorstep of a married couple, who know that opening it will grant them a million dollars and kill someone they don't know.

Director:

Richard Kelly

Writers:

Richard Kelly (screenplay), Richard Matheson (short story "Button, Button")

Stars:

Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cameron Diaz	...	Norma Lewis
James Marsden	...	Arthur Lewis
Frank Langella	...	Arlington Steward
James Rebhorn	...	Norm Cahill
Holmes Osborne	...	Dick Burns
Sam Oz Stone	...	Walter Lewis
Gillian Jacobs	...	Dana
Celia Weston	...	Lana Burns
Deborah Rush	...	Clymene Steward
Lisa K. Wyatt	...	Rhonda Martin
Mark S. Cartier	...	Martin Teague (as Mark Cartier)
Kevin Robertson	...	Wendell Matheson
Michele Durrett	...	Rebecca Matheson
Ian Kahn	...	Vick Brenner
John Magaro	...	Charles

Storyline

Norma and Arthur Lewis, a suburban couple with a young child, receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button. However, pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human being somewhere in the world, someone they don't know. With just 24 hours to have the box in their possession, Norma and Arthur find themselves in the cross-hairs of a startling moral dilemma and must face the true nature of their humanity.

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Plot Keywords:

button | box | 24 hours | decision | letter | 

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Taglines:

All you have to do is push the button.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. Wild Bunch Distribution [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 2009 (Canada)

Also Known As:

La boîte

Filming Locations:

Boston Public Library - 700 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£474,938 (UK) (4 December 2009)

Gross:

$15,045,676 (USA) (1 January 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Radar Pictures, Media Rights Capital

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The uniforms and badges with the exception of the police patch are accurate for the Richmond, VA Bureau of Police in the 1970s. Also the outside view of the police headquarters is an accurate depiction of the old HQ located at 10th and Marshall St in Richmond, VA.

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Goofs

When Walter and his 'nanny' decide to go down the basement, he allows her to go in and down the stairs first. In the next scene, when they have come down the stairs and into the basement, he is seen coming down those stairs first and his 'nanny' follows.

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Quotes

Norma Lewis: Can you tell me what happened?
Arthur Lewis: [confused] I need a drink.

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Connections

Referenced in Moviemaking in Virginia: Take 3 (2008)

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Soundtracks

Scarlet Begonias
Written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter
Performed by The Grateful Dead (as Grateful Dead)
Courtesy of Grateful Dead Productions
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

A severely underrated movie

I absolutely loved this movie. I can see why many people were turned off, especially if you go into it thinking you know how the movie will go. It was a pleasant surprise, and this movie kept me interested until the end. The plot was something new and fresh, and it unfolded at an excellent pace that mixed in drama and emotions. I actually felt for the characters, and I love the mystery and intrigue with the movie. Me and a friend saw this in theaters and were surprised as to how good it was.

I feel this movie is under-appreciated. It has great acting, great sets, excellent cinematography, and what I thought was an interesting plot. If you are a fan of Donnie Darko, The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, etc., you will really like this. Don't listen to the bad reviews and give it a shot with an open mind. If anything, you will at least be kept guessing until the end.