Vengeance

BJ Novak wrote, directed and acted an intriguing story that is funny, suspenseful, sad, and clever. One of the best things is how heartwarming most the characters are! For a movie that's mostly about finding the truth there's a lot of brilliance and fun scenes. I think if I didn't have a regal subscription I probably wouldn't have seen in the theater regardless I'm glad I did Vengeance is very good, I'd still recommend anyone see it and it was nice how some older folks talked to me.

It's a current-day mystery with ironic and humorous edges set in rural West Texas. It follows an elitist writer/podcaster from the New Yorker magazine who looks into the overdose death of a woman he hooked up with a few times.

Ben Manalowitz (B. J. Novak) is A New Yorker writer and aspiring podcaster who lives the life of hooking up at bars multiple times a week and engages in empty intellectual banter with friends. One night he gets a distraught call from Ty Shaw (Boyd Holbrook) from West Texas, saying that his girlfriend, Abilene (Lio Tipton), has died. Ben remembers hooking up with her a few times and finally agrees to come to her funeral since the family believes it was a close relationship.

The film follows his interaction with the family when he learns they all believe that Abilene's overdose death was not accidental. Ben stays with the family, feeling the family seeks a kind of vengeance by believing in a murder myth. We meet the Shaw family, which includes Ty's two remaining sisters, a younger brother, Mother Sharon (J. Smith-Cameron), and Granny (Louanne Stephens). Initially, he writes them off as rural rubes but comes to understand things are more complex than he first imagined. He also meets a music producer, Quinten Sellers (Ashton Kutcher), who spouts theories on life's meaning that intrigue Ben.

Ben interviews the drug dealer, the family suspects, and the four law enforcement agencies that had jurisdiction in where Abilene's body was found. A couple of abrupt plot twists at the movie's end influence the podcast, Ben's self-understanding, and shift the film's concept of vengeance.

I was very taken by the film. The characters that initially seem one-dimensional become more complex as the story unfolds. I didn't see the ending coming. B. J. Novak was excellent as the smug Eastern snob who learns a lot about himself. I thought there were some false notes with Ashton Kutcher's character, but overall I thought the storyline worked.

This satire starts out with extreme comedy and then goes to a deep, dark and real place. The writing was really, really good. I do wish it was funnier throughout as most of the laughs are in the first half.

There's more than one moment that isn't predictable, and I just couldn't see it coming. Even if I watched it again. Just when you think it's all fun and games the movie hits you with a reality check reminder that does kinda feel like a punch to the gut.

Novak does a great job with his character and storytelling. I may have to revisit this one, but I totally recommend it. It's an interesting take on American culture that everyone should experience.

I applaud B. J. Novak for creating something that felt authentic to our culture right now. There is a lot to like about this movie. It feels artful and thoughtful. There are some excellent lines in this film that feel raw, poignant, and true.

For some reasons that are hard to articulate, some aspects of this movie did feel a little flat and hallow. Maybe that was the larger point? Perhaps getting a bit meta: "Everything is everything. So nothing means anything." There just times I was expecting to bit hit a little bit harder.

I think if Ashton's character had been utilized more, I would've felt more satisfied. He was the majority of the intrigue for me. He was really good in his moments on screen. Really, really good. And I feel like that could've been played with more, expanded in more ways. He somewhat represented what I thought was "Vengeance"'s takeaway. I would've loved more.

I don't even know how to really explain this film without divulging but suffice to say it's not what you may think. It shows how today's social media society is quick to judge and it shows how wrong or shallow that judgement can be. While each character has varying moments on the film, the entire cast is very, very good with their timely execution of their insightful and sometimes comedic lines. A lot of substance in this film so if you're looking for a little distraction like Thor, DC Pets or Minion, this is not the film. If you want some sound acting and solid characters, Vengeance is worth seeing (along with Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Where the Crawdads Sings)