Peacock (2010)

A train accident in rural Nebraska gradually unveils a mystery involving the town's bank clerk.

Director:

Michael Lander

Writers:

Michael Lander, Ryan O Roy

Stars:

Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page, Susan Sarandon

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cillian Murphy	...	John / Emma Skillpa
Ellen Page	...	Maggie
Susan Sarandon	...	Fanny Crill
Josh Lucas	...	Officer Tom McGonigle
Bill Pullman	...	Edmund French
Graham Beckel	...	Connor Black
Keith Carradine	...	Mayor Ray Crill
Eden Bodnar	...	Louise Sternberg
Chris Carlson	...	Neil
Flynn Milligan	...	Jake
Virginia Newcomb	...	Doris
Jaimi Paige	...	Wanda
Nathan Christopher	...	Cal
Richard Latch	...	Mack
Tate Hustedt	...	Brian Sternberg

Storyline

John Skillpa, a quiet bank clerk living in tiny Peacock, Nebraska, prefers to live an invisible life. This might have to do with John's secret: he has another personality no one knows about, a woman who each morning does his chores and cooks him breakfast before he starts his day. Then, in a moment, everything changes...

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Plot Keywords:

bank | nebraska | breakfast | train | bank clerk | 

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Taglines:

If he only knew what she was doing.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic material and a scene of violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Release Date:

20 April 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aorati zoi

Filming Locations:

Denison, Iowa, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cornfield Productions, Mandate Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sally Menke's final editing project.

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Goofs

When Maggie hands Emma Jake's birth certificate at the top it says State of Nebraska and stamped in the upper left corner it says City of Ladora. Ladora is in Iowa, not Nebraska.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mother: [in overlapping voices and moods like memories] I'm doing this because I love you. John. You know what happens... I warned you. I warned you, John. This is what you'll turn into. I warned you. Don't talk to anyone. Why would you keep things from me! Look at me. Look at me, John. Look at me. John! Don't look at me unless I tell you to. You ruined it. Don't talk to anyone. Don't talk to anyone. Don't you keep things from me! I'm doing this because I love you. Don't move a muscle ...
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User Reviews

"Strange yet Satisfying Watch, Courtesy of Cillian Murphy"

"Peacock" is an extremely strange movie. It is based in a small town called "Peacock" where John (Cillian Murphy) is a bank employee and leads a solitary life. What everyone is unaware of is that John dresses up as a woman(calling self Emma) very morning and does all the household chores like cooking breakfast, making lunch, cleaning the house, washing clothes etc. After that, "Emma" dresses up as "John" and begins his day by eating the breakfast, putting on neat clothes, taking the lunch box (all prepared by "Emma"). This routine of "Emma" and "John" continues everyday with no one being aware of the presence of "Emma".Until one day, due some incident, "Emma" comes to the attention of the entire town and everyone thinks of "Emma" as "John's wife". As a result, "John" starts playing "Emma" more often than earlier to avoid unwanted scenarios and a lot happens showcasing "John" troubled mental health and his struggle to keep up with both "John" and "Emma".

Cast-wise, it's a plethora of talent. Cillian Murphy has always been prodigious actor. It's unfortunate that his performance in this movie didn't get the recognition it deserves. His was probably one of the best performances in the decade. Susan Sarandon, Ellen Page, Josh Lucas all have a small, yet pivotal role, played with intent and unfeigned.

"Peacock" explores the fragile and unstable mental health of "John" due to an abusive and extremely reserved childhood. It's clear that "John" is suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder, but the way both his personalities "John" and "Emma" competes with each others aspects, how they are aware of each others presence but do nothing to avoid it, how both have contrasting perceptions and beliefs, how both try to undo matters done by the other etc are portrayed superbly, but the overall premise is subject to multiple explanations.

Overall, "Peacock" strangeness lies in the fact that it offers or rather viewer can perceive multiple explanations for the turn of events in the movie. Having said that, "Peacock" is a satisfying watch, courtesy of Cillian Murphy.

My Verdict: 7/10