Film: Stone
Cast includes: Robert De Niro (Casino), Edward Norton (American History X), Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil: Apocalipse), Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under)
Director: John Curran (The Painted Veil)
Screenplay: Angus MacLachlan (Junebug)
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Drama (2010)
In brief:“As God is my witness, I’ve changed.” Jack listens to crap like this every day… prisoners trying to convince him they’re ready for parole. Jack has spent decades as a prison psychologist, and he has almost earned his own freedom. Retirement is just around the corner. A prisoner who wants to be called “Stone” is one of Jack’s last cases. Stone doesn’t want to play the part of the typical reformed prisoner. “I copped to what I did. Fuck this shit.” All stone wants is to get back to his life… back to his wife… “a dime dog.” That’s not an insult; it’s a complement… “She’s a perfect 10.” Stone tells Jack, “she’s like an alien from another world,” as he describes the many ways he wants to get it on with Lucetta.
When Stone learns that Jack has been married for 43 years, he wants to know if they “still get it on.” Although Jacks insists “we’re not talking about me,” Stone has an insidious way of invading Jack’s personal space. When Stone’s wife, Lucetta calls Jack at home to talk about her husband, Jack knows he needs to reestablish a proper psychologist/prisoner relationship. “All I’m asking is for a chance to let me help you see him in a different light,” she implores. Lucetta really is relentless. In the meantime, Stone seems to have moved on… he’s discovered how to “listen to God.” It’s truly maddening! Jack is totally losing control. He is bombarded from every direction… from his wife, his minister, the radio… and now from Stone… “What does God want for us?” Jack might have been able to answer that question before, but it’s all getting complicated these days.
In the beginning of the movie we learn that Jack’s home life is a kind of prison… maybe not for Jack… but certainly for Jack’s wife. As the movie progresses, we discover that being in prison isn’t just about walls, and bars. Freedom isn’t just about winning release. Stone is a psychological thriller. Unlike a typical thriller, the narrative in Stone is multi layered and never quite reaches a tidy conclusion. The performances, however, are so good that you’ll likely be on edge for most of movie. “Lost your place again?” Jacks wife asks him. Jack has indeed lost his place… big time, but it’s still not an easy question to answer.
2 popped kernels
Deliciously creepy, but it goes a little soft in the third act
Popcorn Profile
Rated: R
Primary Audience: Young adults
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Neither upbeat nor somber
Tempo: Cruses comfortably
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment
