Charlie Polinger’s “The Plague” is the feature-length movie debut of the author/director, who has made quick movies up up to now.
The movie could wind up a calling card that results in larger issues, because the pageant response to the movie has been robust.
The story facilities round Ben (Everett Blunck), a 12-year-old boy who joins a water polo staff and instantly realizes he’s an outcast amongst boys who’re aggressive, obnoxious and casually merciless. Jake (Kayo Martin) is Ben’s teammate and is the worst of them.
Jake’s vibrant smile and unceasing humorousness barely masks a casually sadistic streak and an inclination to lash out at anybody who opposes him. Ben instantly turns into Jake’s goal, as Ben is gradual to appreciate that the early taunting and sizing each other up isn’t boys-will-be-boys teasing however an early take a look at.
The title refers to a sadistic recreation the boys play amongst each other, the place they deem the unfavorable one of their midst as having “the plague.” Should you disappoint or flip towards them, nobody will play with you or contact you, however you’ll be handled as if in case you have an incurable and extremely contagious virus.
This subplot provides the movie its title, however the psychological physique horror this creates looks as if baggage the movie didn’t actually need.
This intense, Kubrickian drama performs like “Full Steel Jacket” (1987) with center college boys as a substitute of troopers. The story finally turns into so overwrought and heavy-handed, that it strangles the life and humanity out of it.
Even “Lord of the Flies” (William Goldings’ novel or the 2 movie diversifications) had some degree of perspective to supply; this movie merely drags us by means of the mud and can solely make these of us who suffered by means of years of faculty bullying re-live that rotten time.
The style shifts from psychological drama into outright physique horror, with sharp alterations of tone and strategy, is jarring. “The Plague” works greatest when grounded in actuality, nevertheless it takes odd dips into outright horror that aren’t absolutely developed.
Polinger’s movie is nightmarish sufficient with out the efforts to discover Cronenberg territory.
The underwater images is as inventively utilized as it’s merely lovely. Joel Edgerton’s character is a supporting flip – he’s strong as typical as a kind-hearted coach, however the movie belongs to its younger forged, who’re all glorious.
Many scenes are impactful, as a result of suspense of not figuring out whether or not we’re about to witness the younger protagonist breaking by means of and constructing a friendship or if it incites one other violent altercation.
From the way in which there isn’t a seen safety ever in sight and the way clueless or willingly ignorant the coach is relating to the security of his group; the story appears contrived to harm us and doesn’t play truthful.
“The Plague” is an achieved work, significantly in the way in which it sustains unease and suspense, nevertheless it all spins uncontrolled in the identical method the protagonist does on the finish. The ending is pat and inconclusive, a greater instance of the director’s capabilities than his strategy to correctly conclude his story.
The story has so many unresolved elements, reminiscent of the reality in regards to the title (is the plague an actual menace or not?). A lot of this performs like a self-conscious artwork film.
Polinger can stage potent drama, however the finish result’s form of like being bullied – you stroll away from “The Plague” feeling sucker punched and little else.
Two Stars