Greta

A patchy and irregular film crippled by a script written on a tiny Post-It with a few completely far-fetched plot twists that I will leave untold so as not spoil the movie. The cast of this American film is notably composed of Isabelle Huppert, one of the most famous and talented French actresses, with Romy Schneider, Catherine Deneuve, Stéphane Audran, Simone Signoret or Marion Cotillard. Although she is gorgeous, she vainly tries to save this literally incredible movie, not to mention Colm Feore or Stephen Rea, two secondary actors in this movie that we do not see often enough on the screens. With a scriptwriter worthy of the profession, the film would have been significantly better. Moreover, I have really a hard time recognizing the style of the director of Fine di una storia (1999), Intervista col vampiro (1994) or La moglie del soldato (1992). As a synthesis: frustrating and disappointing.

In GRETA, Frances (Chloe Grace Moretz) happens upon a lost handbag on the subway, and decides to simply return it to its owner, the older woman of the title (Isabelle Huppert). Frances strikes up a friendship with Greta, who is lonely and sort of reminds her of her late mother. All is well until Frances makes a bizarre, terrifying discovery.

This movie plays with the idea of being seriously targeted by someone who is doing it out in the open, while the law is unable to stop the perpetrator, and even protects them. It's pretty infuriating, and leads up to a final nightmare for Frances.

Ms. Huppert's character is exquisitely demented. Her unflinching portrayal is chilling. Ms. Moretz plays a kindly woman in an unbearable situation. While Frances is rather wimpy, she does rise up at one point, causing some damage to her tormentor. Not a bad movie at all, although the finale is a bit abrupt...

The first half of this film is really good. The suspense builds throughout and a good story develops. Then, a scenario occurs in which there is only one obvious course of action and when the protagonists inexplicably do something else, all interest in the movie is lost because, from that point on, you will be distracted by the question "Why have they not just....?"

A little like "fatal attraction," or "misery," and a lot predictable. BUT, the acting is really good and it has some genuine creepiness to it without the gore, sex, swearing, and jump scares that most modern horror movies desperately resort to. Solid and entertaining.

Fairly straightfoward and predictable, but nonetheless Huppert brings a chilling performance as the unhinged title character that may make you wary of helping strangers out from now on.

The big reveal is spoiled in the trailers, and it come pretty early on. It would've been better had it been delayed a little, after the 2 characters had spent more time together and a few scenes of Greta acting crazy at times to have Frances grow some suspicion.

But the main problem is how illogical/stupid the other characters are, beginning with Frances either unable or unwilling to block Greta's number despite the obvious problems, and upping the ante with the ending.

All the ridiculousness is summed up one face-palm worthy quote: "What do we tell the police?" Gee, what actually happened might be a good idea.