Le secret de Peacock

This film is about a young man whose life is radically changed by the death of his mother.

"Peacock" seems very slow at first, but as the story progresses, it becomes so captivating. The story follows John and the split personality called Emma. The two personalities fight with each other to control the situation. The abrupt ending encourages viewers to think hard about what happens in the film and makes viewers postulate what would happen next. It's clever story telling. Acting by Cillian Murphy is amazing, he is so at ease as Emma and so nervous as John.

The subject matter of "Peacock" may limit its popularity, which is a pity as this intriguing drama deserves wider recognition.

Just saw this down at one my favorite local internet theaters and I can tell you that this is definitely one of Cillian Murphy's top performances.

Of course, Murphy was brilliant in 28 Days Later and downright creepy in Batman Begins but his turn as John Skillpa, a young man apparently tormented by years and years of child abuse, shows the truer depths of his acting range.

I'm pretty sure this feature will be well overlooked by the Academy Awards, but it shouldn't be as far as I'm concerned as Murphy and the rest of a well picked cast shine in nearly every scene. To be honest, however, I wasn't thrilled with Ellen Page's performance but I believe she did a capable job in the role she played.

Keith Carradine and an almost unrecognizable Bill Pullman are the other actors of note besides, of course, the pushy but sensitive Fanny Crill played by Susan Sarandon.

What I can tell you, without spoiling the film, is that it's set in a not too distant rural America where the oddities of life must be kept well hidden for one to survive.

What is genuinely fresh and interesting though is how the mind of John Skillpa chooses to handle the forced revealing of a secret he's kept under wraps for quite some time in a quiet house where no one would suspect there was anything out of order.

Cillian Murphy is really good in this. I actually can almost not think of another actor playing this particular role. It is very demanding and he goes places that I'm sure some people wouldn't dare go (or follow him for that reason). It really is a good movie. A weird little story with great actors all over the place.

I especially loved the ending, though they seemed to be unsure of how to go, since there are alternate endings on the disc. Very slow and very uncomfortable to watch, it is something that I hope will be cherished by quite a few people. Even if it only gets a home entertainment release (like in Germany) and does not see the light of the cinemas. I dare you to watch it

"Peacock" is an extremely strange movie. It is based in a small town called "Peacock" where John (Cillian Murphy) is a bank employee and leads a solitary life. What everyone is unaware of is that John dresses up as a woman(calling self Emma) very morning and does all the household chores like cooking breakfast, making lunch, cleaning the house, washing clothes etc. After that, "Emma" dresses up as "John" and begins his day by eating the breakfast, putting on neat clothes, taking the lunch box (all prepared by "Emma"). This routine of "Emma" and "John" continues everyday with no one being aware of the presence of "Emma".Until one day, due some incident, "Emma" comes to the attention of the entire town and everyone thinks of "Emma" as "John's wife". As a result, "John" starts playing "Emma" more often than earlier to avoid unwanted scenarios and a lot happens showcasing "John" troubled mental health and his struggle to keep up with both "John" and "Emma".

Cast-wise, it's a plethora of talent. Cillian Murphy has always been prodigious actor. It's unfortunate that his performance in this movie didn't get the recognition it deserves. His was probably one of the best performances in the decade. Susan Sarandon, Ellen Page, Josh Lucas all have a small, yet pivotal role, played with intent and unfeigned.

"Peacock" explores the fragile and unstable mental health of "John" due to an abusive and extremely reserved childhood. It's clear that "John" is suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder, but the way both his personalities "John" and "Emma" competes with each others aspects, how they are aware of each others presence but do nothing to avoid it, how both have contrasting perceptions and beliefs, how both try to undo matters done by the other etc are portrayed superbly, but the overall premise is subject to multiple explanations.

Overall, "Peacock" strangeness lies in the fact that it offers or rather viewer can perceive multiple explanations for the turn of events in the movie. Having said that, "Peacock" is a satisfying watch, courtesy of Cillian Murphy.

My Verdict: 7/10

Cillian Murphy shows what great acting is in this strange, delicate, hard to label film. He plays one character with two distinct separate identities (and more than a few hints of a third) and it is almost impossible to believe either one is Cillian Murphy! From one scene to the next I'd swear his facial bone structure changes, so amazingly complete are his transformations.

For many the film will probably be too slow and carefully paced, and there are a few times when it did feel a little sluggish, but at no point did I ever feel I had a firm idea of where it was going, and I was so curious to find out. That sense of experiencing something completely unexpected is rare in motion pictures these days. Without being a traditional thriller there was considerable suspense, albeit of a more intellectual kind. And at no point were we subjected to cardboard cut-out characters or two dimensional plot-advancers, even in the smallest of roles.

It ends a little ambiguously, which is a momentary disappointment, until you realize that the notion of "mystery" is at the core of this film and leaving us to ponder what the future might hold for these people is perfectly in keeping with it. Ultimately, when it comes to human beings, nothing can be predicted, and you have to sometimes question every thing you think you know.

And can I mention again just how amazing Cillian Murphy is? This even eclipses Breakfast on Pluto (as a performance, but not the film as a whole).