The Voices, 2015.
Directed by Marjane Satrapi.
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick and Jacki Weaver.
SYNOPSIS:
Schizophrenic factory worker Jerry must decide whether to follow the advice of his psychotic, blood thirsty cat, Mr Whiskers or his good-hearted, loving dog Bosco, as he struggles to keep taking his meds and find some measure of normalcy in his life.
Ryan Reynolds (The Proposal, Green Lantern and Smokin’ Aces) makes a valiant foray into the world of schizophrenic serial killers with quirky graphic novelist turned director Satrapi (Persepolis and Chicken with Plums) holding his hand along the way. Reynolds shuffles away from the usual college playboy to take on the more dynamic and challenging role of a small town factory worker. It’s safe to say his smiley disposition is well suited to the placid, albeit mentally unhinged character of Jerry, however we begin to see a whole new side to Reynolds as he embarks on a blood-stained and somewhat whimsical downward spiral.
The film begins with a light-hearted introduction into the small-town lifestyle of Jerry as farcical pink crates and jumpsuits pose a sharp dissimilarity to the usual gloomy colour schemes found in your run-of-the-mill thriller/horror flick. It’s quickly clear Jerry is infatuated by office hottie Fiona (Gemma Arterton) and he soon anxiously asks her out. The night seems innocent enough until things take a turn for the bloody. Jerry crashes the car and ends up chasing Fiona through the woods wielding a knife covered in animal blood – not the best way to round off a first date, before stabbing her to death in the most apologetic manner possible.
Jerry then finds himself back at home talking the matter over with his ever loyal pet Bosco, and his not so loyal pet Mr Whiskers. The two voices – both played with a sickly sense of irony by Reynolds himself – offer their advice. Bosco speaks sense, urging Jerry to go to the police while Mr Whiskers suggests a more sinister plan involving concealment and decapitation. Jerry then toys with the idea of taking his meds but finds himself in a lonely world without the surreal comfort of his talking pets and swiftly falls off the wagon.
Things spin further out of kilter when a colourful performance from Fiona’s dismembered head convinces Jerry its time she had a friend, and innocent co-worker Lisa (Anna Kendrick) seems to fit the bill. After a few romantic encounters the starry-eyed Lisa soon finds herself amidst Jerry’s manic world. Aside from the tongue in cheek humour this film demands attention when we are introduced to Jerry’s psychotic world from the viewpoint of an outsider. Unsuspecting characters are pulled into Jerry’s demented, alternate reality and we begin to see a more ominous side to the vibrant, colourful scenes involving affable talking heads and welcoming pets, as they distort into rotting body parts and blood soaked furniture.
It seems Reynolds and Satrapi have banded together and created an extremely watchable film. It’s far from a masterpiece, but while the movie’s contrasting styles feel almost too clashing at times, it’s an enjoyable black comedy none the less. Reynolds relishes the chance to unleash his inner Norman Bates while Satrapi pumps in enough graphic novel-esque imagery to keep the scenes both fresh and engaging.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
The Voices opens in the UK on March 20th.
Alfie Nobes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqtW2LRPtQY&list=PL18yMRIfoszFJHnpNzqHh6gswQ0Srpi5E
Originally published February 19, 2015. Updated April 13, 2018.
