Le Remplaçant

This is not a typical sci-fi, which may account for the low ratings. It's a relationship drama initiated by a futuristic premise. I did read several negative reviews but decided to give it a shot anyway. 30 minutes in, I was hooked. The plotting might come across as slow and the dialogue cumbersome until everything is revealed, but then it all fits together and Prima facie assumptions crumble. The art is not in the unsurprising plot "twist" but in how all of the scenes that precede it build to that moment. I'll definitely be watching it again with open eyes directed to the execution of the story.

In short, slow, boring, disappointing, well made, well acted with some lovely cinematography. The central story concept is great although never fully explored. The sci fi element of the story is an irrelevance.

Around the 50 minutes mark if started to become a slog to listen to naval gazing of the lead actors. The pace of the movie is quite languid which normally I don't mind.

There just seems to be so many plot points raised that are just never followed up on, how did they end up on the list? The film suggests that that Ronan's character puts her husbands name in the hat. Why does a cross section of society need to be sent away to space when clearly Paul Mescals character seems mentally unwell. How would he surviv3 in space? Why does a stranger from the government have live with them in a creepy, passive aggressive style?

You can definitely make a more compelling movie with these ingredients, but this film is not it.

It's 2065. Water is scarced. People are moving to space. Hen (Saoirse Ronan) and Junior (Paul Mescal) live on his farm which his family has owned for five generations. Farming is a struggle and he works at a chicken factory. There is tension in the marriage. Out of the blue, Terrance (Aaron Pierre) comes to their door. He's recruiting for space pioneers and maybe do a little threatening on top of that.

There is an interesting sci-fi concept and an intriguing reveal somewhere in this movie. I can't buy the undercooked sci-fi concept. As a mystery, the movie is holding back a few pieces in the puzzle and the audience is kept waiting. The terrific pairing of Mescal and Ronan is giving it their all, but the movie keeps going in circles. The surrealism mounts until the movie goes down the drain.

I recently reviewed a movie based on a book and noted how great it was that it didn't feel like a film based on a book. 'Foe' on the other hand felt very much like a movie based on a book. The dialogue was extremely clunky and the kind of stuff that could be fine when read on the page, but sounds ridiculous and uninspired when said out loud.

Also I found some of the direction very strange in this one. I half expected to look the director up and see a first-timer, not someone who had directed a Best Picture nominee in the past. It was little things but they kept adding up. There were scenes where three characters would all be yelling, and yet at no point would any of them stand up. There was no desire to make scenes like this in any way cinematic in nature.

The biggest crime the film commits though is that it is painfully boring. Despite having two very good actors in the lead roles, there is zero chemistry there. To be fair, the script gives them almost nothing to work with. When you have to spend the entire film with these two people and there is absolutely nothing likeable there to work with, it is always going to be a tedious experience.

The sad thing is that the idea of the movie has merit. If done in a different way, this film could have worked masterfully. It wasn't though and for that reason this was not an enjoyable experience. 4/10.

I'm just wondering, how come there are so many junk movies with higher rates out there and this gem gets almost 5? You must be kidding me. Foe is one of the most touching films I've ever seen. So gripping you can barely take your eyes off of it. Amazing story, great actings, spectacular scenery, compelling shots, haunting music and all and all makes it one of the best sci-fi movies in a while. Saoirse Ronan is at her best. FOE is a startling movie about the meaningless positions of humanity in universe. A philosophical approach to the hollowness of existence. A glimpse into the future, and the horrifying incidents that await us. It's just a matter of time.

Just loved it!