The Assessment

I was skeptical about watching this movie. I've been on a movie-marathon this summer & this is one of the movies you wouldn't want to miss!

Elizabeth Olsen surprises me every time. I believe she's one of the few actresses who can actually give an astounding performance in almost any genre.

Alicia Vikander, we've missed you. As I was watching 'The assessment', I couldn't help but remember 'Ex machina' where Alicia also starred in and had a similar genre.

I wanted more from this movie. I wanted more tragedy. More twists. More turmoil. This movie did indeed end shockingly. Hoping for a sequel!

I liked this movie a lot.

It resembles the work of Alex Garland, and the premise is pretty much a possible scenario in the not-so-distant future.

But is it worth watching? Well, it depends.

It has a good story, talented actors, and beautiful photography, as well as great design.

Buuuut without any spoilers there's not much explanation of the time they live in.

The starting point was already built off-screen, so to say.

Anyway, its focus is on the dynamics between the trio, and it's more of a psychological/existential thriller.

Though maybe the third act makes the movie too long, I would have liked it to ended earlier, but my criteria are to like cliffhangers and open ends... Not a popular parameter

I recommend it!

The 3 leads are pretty good in their roles but story just didn't gel together for me. Very little is known of the dystopia, the cause, the effect the hope. The entire focus is really on the assessment of the couple's readiness for raising a child. A few sprinkles of insight into their work life doesn't do much to round out their characters. Virginia the assessor of the couple is quite erratic and throws every cliche of bad childish behavior to test the couple. This was mildly interesting but it grew tiresome.

I didn't expect the story to continue where I had thought it should have ended. Just delivered more dialogue that no longer mattered to me as I had already mentally checked out. I think the premise and the awkward start of the movie could have been a rating of 7. By 1/2 way through the movie lost its mojo and slid down to a 5.

Watch it if you like the lead actors but the story might grind on you.

Given the rating that was 6.9 at the time, I expected much better than I received. In short, You're told that the world has split into two. One where the air is purified somehow and the old which was soiled. Almost nothing is told about this process and the film tries to stick to just one issue. People are limited to having no children unless given permission. An assessor will come to the house to determine whether a child may be produced. In comes Alicia vikander.

She then proceeds to act like a child for much of the rest of the movie. At times it is incredibly silly and not believable. The actors do a fantastic job in selling the concept, but but she goes in and out of character at times that you don't know which version she is and the characters are understandably confused. Some of the reactions of the adults supposedly treating a child are understandable because they aren't dealing with a child. The test is inherently itself, not fair but you're asked to go along with it. But there was one absolutely ridiculous test, in which the answer is blatantly obvious to everyone but the tested person. Perhaps they thought it was a good idea on paper but it was executed so painfully that it was difficult to watch. There are also many holes in this script.

Minnie driver steals the show in the one scene that she appears. But in the end, which is rushed badly, you get to find out some answers which is standard dystopia. I didn't find redeeming qualities about this film whatsoever. The moral of the story is raising children can be a difficult experience. And the rest of the science fiction element is completely unexplored. It's only there to create cool effects and provide a reason for the assessment.

I completely admire the fine performances by the actors. But this bit of silliness is 2 hours of time. I really wish I had back. If you're a fan of frilly artistic portrayal with lots of diversity as part of our future, you might appreciate this. But it is completely superficial.

Where are all of the reviews for this movie?! And why is it criminally underrated? Aren't we all tired of superhero popcorn flicks and ready for more movies with actual depth like this?

Now I know why Elizabeth Olsen has been playing in superhero crap roles lately. It's so that she could do this. "One for them, one for me" as they say. This is by far her best work. You can tell she worked so hard on this, physically, emotionally, she sold it. Apart from being the fittest and yet most feminine she's ever looked, she had this grace as her character that was so believable and not phoned in, especially her comedic moments like the first dining scene. She made it feel so real. Everyone did a fantastic job in this, especially Minnie Driver, who was a pleasant surprise with a great monologue, but Elizabeth outshined them all.

I'm not sure if I could watch this again with how intense it was, and knowing the ending. But this is one movie that should be seen by all. It's a smart, well written, emotionally nuanced and psychological thriller that should make you think. Yes it's Hollywood so they found a way to fit climate change in there, but it's also sci fi that feels meaningful, and actually possible rather than preachy. It actually left me wanting even more back story, though there was plenty.

Thank you to the writers, director and actors. Keep them coming.