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:

box | button | 24 hours | key | consequence | 

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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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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. Wild Bunch Distribution [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kutija

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

Charlie Clouser's score from Saw was used for the trailer.

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Goofs

Takes place in Virgina, but Virgina cars have front and back plates.

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Quotes

Arlington Steward: There are always consequences.

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Connections

Referenced in Robot Chicken: The Curious Case of the Box (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Deck the Halls"
Written & Performed by Walter Murphy
Courtesy of Thomas J. Valentino Inc. & MS-Pro

User Reviews

you have no idea what to expect...

The creator of Donnie Darko brings you a twilight zone themed tale of the oddest fashion. The film centers on a middle aged young couple living paycheck to paycheck in 1976. One day a mysterious box appears with a red button. Later on that day a spooky gentleman shows up and tells them that they have the choice to press the button and receive a million dollars but someone they don't know will die. It's a disturbing and provocative question suspensefully outlined in the trailer and TV spots. But let it be known that you just don't know what your in for until you see it. At times pretentious and a bit melodramatic the film is ultimately effective because of it's good performances and intriguing subject matter. It would be unfair to ruin any of the plot twists for you but lets just say the film will deliver on the aspects you expect it to and not completely fulfill others it begins to outline. There's a lot of apparent symbolism and subtext in the film which is both interesting and annoying as it wasn't so evident in his other superior film Donnie Darko. There isn't too much more to say without ruining the film for you. it's meant to inspire lots of cafe chatter afterwards. However, i'd also like to say It's shot well and has an appropriately aged look to it and it's worth a watch. Check it out.