Mr. Harrigan's Phone

We live in an 'instant age.' We're used to getting what we want immediately. So, anyone giving this film a bad review probably didn't understand the need to focus and apply patience to a story that unfolds gradually. It is impeccably written. All the story setups and essential bases are cleverly covered. It is brilliantly made with authentic characters supported with superb acting. It moves at comfortable pace with no dull moment or drawn-out, unnecessary scene. An all-round excellent film. Give it a chance and be receptive to rare, excellent storytelling. It could be one of the the best films you've seen in a long time.

First things first -- like many people, I binge horror in October, generally one movie a day from the 1st through the 30th, then, time allowing, two or three on Halloween itself. This movie was my choice for today (I've seen so many horrors that I have to look off the beaten path for new ones sometimes, and sometimes I just get lazy and re-watch an old favorite) So my disappointment stems largely from the fact that I was hoping for an actual horror to fill my daily horror movie.)

This movie had horror elements. That I'll concede. But it wasn't really, overall, in the horror genre. It was a decent drama, and had it been sold as that, with just traces of horror, I would have waited to watch it in November and would have enjoyed it to some extent. Unfortunately, the story of the young boy and the elderly man who became a mentor (of sorts, since the young man never really seemed to completely buy into the old man's rather brutal outlook on life) was interesting for reasons completely unhorrific and selling this movie as a horror -- as of now, that's the only genre tag on its IMDb page -- is likely to alienate people who might otherwise enjoyed the movie on its own merits.

Starts out a a good drama/thriller type movie then continued on for about half of it. Got to know the characters, sets things up pretty well, all is good so far. Then the thriller part ramps up some and it gets more and more exciting. Up until that point I thought it was pretty good.

Then it kinda turns into a coming of age film. Nothing wrong with those types of films but it felt really strange here.

Then it flips back to the drama/thriller.

Then it ends kinda...meh.

The whole movie feels like its trying to shove a message in our face about being attached to our cell phones too. I dunno it just gave me a really bad weird vibe to it.

It was surprisingly simple what they did with this novella adaptation, and Stephen King's at that. The 'King of Horror' penned an anthology titled "If It Bleeds" (published, 2020), and "Mr. Harrigan's Phone" was one of its offerings.

John Lee Hancock did remarkable work on direction and screenplay for this Netflix production. That old Stephen King magic prevailed, and helped ensure a literary flair was present throughout the story and around its characters.

I could see this movie getting buried (pun intended) by fans and sundry if it was any other script than one from the mind of King. The movie had a relaxed pace, and contained nothing truly horrific. The suspense was strong, though. Also, Donald Sutherland's voice and performance held it all together.

Javier Navarrete's musical scoring wonderfully complemented the work of the editing and sound effects teams. John Schwartzman's cinematography was amazing. Production design by Michael Corenblith, set decoration, and art direction did great work as well. Daniel Orlandi's costume design was minimal.

Donald Sutherland stole every scene he was in, and was the most intriguing character in "Mr. Harrigan's Phone". Aside from Stephen King's involvement, the main reason I saw this movie was because they cast the unmatched Sutherland in the role of the titular character. That man has screen presence for days, and is one of my favourite yesteryear stars. Also, his character's mansion was spellbinding in its own right.

Jaeden Martell's take on Craig was a blend of vulnerability and conviction. He did great work in the role. His younger version, played by Colin O'Brien, was good.

Victoria Hart, played by Kirby Howell-Baptiste, was interesting. Cyrus Arnold as Kenny Yankovich was a right royal &^%$, and hit all the right provocative notes. Craig's dad, played by Joe Tippett, was good. The phone store clerk, played by Alex Bartner, was notable. Edna Grogan, played by Peggy J. Scott, was amazing. Hers was a criminally under-rated performance. All others did good work in "Mr. Harrigan's Phone" streaming now on Netflix.

Simple takes and steady storytelling dictated the flow of this movie. Powerful dialogues and a literary 'show don't tell' style also helped make it memorable. The sustained mystery of whom Craig was communicating with if not the by-then-deceased Mr. Harrigan and how repercussions came to those who justly deserved it made the movie engaging. In classic Stephen King style, the ending of this movie was left open to interpretation.

Obvious, it is not a great movie. And many parts of it are far to be inspired. But... .

I saw it for Jaeden Martell and Donald Sutherland . And , maybe, being temptated by the name of Stephen King.

And I love it. For acting, for the house, for the idea of reading books to a venerable rich man, for the portrait of friendship out of death, for a sort of kindness and indulgence for answer to desire of revenge and for crumbs of story remembering pieces of my life.

I do not expected nothing . And being a sentimental guy, I ignored the holes or the incoherence or the confuse message or the pathetism.

First, because Sutherland and Martell are real good.

Second, because it is just a story about ordinary, profound significant things, having the gift/ desire only to remind them and proposing a fair perspective about them.

Not the last, because it is not exactly a horror. More a sort of confession/ reflection/ moral lesson. Working not so bad.