One of the many films that I personally forgot to see in the cinema when it was released earlier in the year, oh how much I regret missing this film now.
Lets set one thing straight this film is not for everyone, this is not your everyday thriller or mystery or soft horror for that matter. I can completely understand people absolutely hating the film or completely loving this experience, and that's exactly what it is......an experience.
Directing - Gore Verbinski has made a very well put together film the camera work in the film is seamless and shows off his talent as a film maker. He doesn't put a foot or shot wrong in the film very good job from start to finish.
Dane DeHaan is, in my opinion, a very talented actor its just unfortunate that "Hollywood" has tried and failed many times to make him the next best thing. A Cure for Wellness is the type of film where DeHaan belongs and he his brilliant in the film, as the audience you can really get behind him in his struggle. Even though he starts of the film as not a nice guy to put it nicely his character arc in the film is strong and delivered brilliant by DeHaan, he is at the top of his game in this film. The other stand out of the film for me is Mia Goth who plays a really interesting a mysterious character which we don't know a lot about in the beginning, however as the film grows so does her character. She is innocent but slightly peculiar at the same time and is the victim of the whole film her delivery throughout the film is really good. These are the two standouts there is nothing bad to say about the rest they are all good as well Jason Issacs is also really good in the film also.
Another positive of the film is the cinematography which is really striking and bold, it sets the tone of the film really early and makes the film haunting but beautiful to look at which is a interesting contrast. Production design especially of the hospital is also really good in a strange way, it is eerily perfect which makes us as the audience doubt its authenticity, well it did for me.
The final positive of the film is the most important and that is the story of the film which is brilliantly simple but with a lot of hidden messages and undertones that are striking and woven into the story perfectly. On the surface a film about some off beat "wellness" centre in the Swiss alps is strange in its self, couple that together with the main theme of the the film water and the "cure" it is elevated to a new level. Everything that as the audience and Dane DeHaan's character is told is put into doubt straight away because nothing adds up about the place. Talking of water the use of the substance throughout the film is so well done that you start to fear it, how is that possible something so innocent turned into something so sinister so easily. The story of this film and depths it reaches changes every time you watch the film.
On the other hand there are only two negatives of the film, number one is the pace of the film which is very slow. This is by no means a easy film to watch and it shouldn't be either but you feel as if the end of the film is much quicker than the beginning or the middle, the pace feels slow and uneven. The other negative is the re-watchability of the which could be difficult knowing the pace and length of the film however knowing the enjoyment that can be had watching the film could out balance it.
Overall this film is a psychological soft horror thriller that is full of surprises it uses great film making techniques, a incredibly interesting story with great characters and will definitely make you not want to drink water straight after, very creepy and effectively use of water. 80% out of 100 or 8 out of 10 this film is a truly great film and one of the best of the year a real gem, I'm so disappointed I missed it in the cinema. Hopefully this film gets the recognition it deserves as well as audiences time, it will definitely make you uncomfortable!
Lets set one thing straight this film is not for everyone, this is not your everyday thriller or mystery or soft horror for that matter. I can completely understand people absolutely hating the film or completely loving this experience, and that's exactly what it is......an experience.
Directing - Gore Verbinski has made a very well put together film the camera work in the film is seamless and shows off his talent as a film maker. He doesn't put a foot or shot wrong in the film very good job from start to finish.
Dane DeHaan is, in my opinion, a very talented actor its just unfortunate that "Hollywood" has tried and failed many times to make him the next best thing. A Cure for Wellness is the type of film where DeHaan belongs and he his brilliant in the film, as the audience you can really get behind him in his struggle. Even though he starts of the film as not a nice guy to put it nicely his character arc in the film is strong and delivered brilliant by DeHaan, he is at the top of his game in this film. The other stand out of the film for me is Mia Goth who plays a really interesting a mysterious character which we don't know a lot about in the beginning, however as the film grows so does her character. She is innocent but slightly peculiar at the same time and is the victim of the whole film her delivery throughout the film is really good. These are the two standouts there is nothing bad to say about the rest they are all good as well Jason Issacs is also really good in the film also.
Another positive of the film is the cinematography which is really striking and bold, it sets the tone of the film really early and makes the film haunting but beautiful to look at which is a interesting contrast. Production design especially of the hospital is also really good in a strange way, it is eerily perfect which makes us as the audience doubt its authenticity, well it did for me.
The final positive of the film is the most important and that is the story of the film which is brilliantly simple but with a lot of hidden messages and undertones that are striking and woven into the story perfectly. On the surface a film about some off beat "wellness" centre in the Swiss alps is strange in its self, couple that together with the main theme of the the film water and the "cure" it is elevated to a new level. Everything that as the audience and Dane DeHaan's character is told is put into doubt straight away because nothing adds up about the place. Talking of water the use of the substance throughout the film is so well done that you start to fear it, how is that possible something so innocent turned into something so sinister so easily. The story of this film and depths it reaches changes every time you watch the film.
On the other hand there are only two negatives of the film, number one is the pace of the film which is very slow. This is by no means a easy film to watch and it shouldn't be either but you feel as if the end of the film is much quicker than the beginning or the middle, the pace feels slow and uneven. The other negative is the re-watchability of the which could be difficult knowing the pace and length of the film however knowing the enjoyment that can be had watching the film could out balance it.
Overall this film is a psychological soft horror thriller that is full of surprises it uses great film making techniques, a incredibly interesting story with great characters and will definitely make you not want to drink water straight after, very creepy and effectively use of water. 80% out of 100 or 8 out of 10 this film is a truly great film and one of the best of the year a real gem, I'm so disappointed I missed it in the cinema. Hopefully this film gets the recognition it deserves as well as audiences time, it will definitely make you uncomfortable!