Entertainment

Encounter Review (TIFF 2021)

Products You May Like

PLOT: A embellished marine (Riz Ahmed) kidnaps his two younger sons, claiming that they’re within the midst of an alien invasion and that solely he can preserve them secure.

REVIEW: At this level, I don’t assume anybody can deny that Riz Ahmed is among the greatest actors within the enterprise. To me, his efficiency in Sound of Metal ranks as one of many best of the final decade or so, and the truth that he didn’t win an Oscar for it boggles the thoughts. Amazon Studios seemingly had plenty of success with that one, so that they’re behind his newest, Encounter, which is extra mainstream-friendly and mashes up a few totally different genres.

In it, he performs a tricky man marine who’s estranged from his two children after just a few years away from residence. He’s divorced from their mom (Janina Gavankar), and his oldest son (Lucian-River Chauhan) yearns for his dad’s return – overtly defying his mother’s kindly new boyfriend. Lastly, he will get his want when his dad spirits them away within the evening, taking them on a cross-country flight via America’s heartland. Sadly, he’s acquired a tall story for them, with him telling them that insect parasites have made their solution to earth and are taking individuals over. He appears nuts – however is he?

Whereas the film reveals fairly early on whether or not Ahmed’s character is telling the reality or not, in the end, that revelation takes a backseat to the actual meat of the story -Ahmed’s relationship together with his oldest son. Chauhan is terrific because the rebellious older child who needs to consider his dad however is cautious. He’s glad simply to spend time with this idealized determine, even when he comes to comprehend shortly his dad could also be harmful. Within the movie, they’re pursued by the F.B.I, led by Rory Cochrane’s sympathetic agent, who believes he could also be a possible “household annihilator.” Octavia Spencer is a practical character linked to Ahmed, who’s the one one who thinks he gained’t damage his household.

encounter review riz Ahmed

It provides as much as a powerful star car for Ahmed, who has to take care of your sympathy whereas additionally making you ponder whether he’s a hazard to his household or not. One factor’s for certain; Encounter feels a bit like a dry run for Ahmed to tackle a few motion roles, with him in navy man form for the half. The film has a handful of actually first rate motion sequences, directed with fashion by Michael Pearce. It’s the one movie I do know that has a shootout scored to “In opposition to All Odds (Take a Have a look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins. Music, normally, is exceptionally well-used on this film, with it having an incredible rating by Jed Kurzel. There’s a kickass sequence in direction of the top the place Ahmed takes on two survivalists in a significant gun battle that convinces you Ahmed could certainly have motion hero chops.

In the long run, Encounter is a movie that may doubtless alienate a selected section of the viewers as soon as the large revelation is out of the best way (not helped by the truth that Amazon is advertising it as one thing it’s not). Nonetheless, if individuals have the endurance to keep it up and embrace it as one other sort of film, it provides as much as a reasonably stable little streaming unique for Amazon and a pleasant against-type half for the good Ahmed. Test it out!

7

Products You May Like