Monsters Review

Gareth Edward’s cheapie is getting some hefty backing from the studio world as well as critics in what is being famed as one of this year’s best. We don’t doubt Total Film will have it as their film of the year come their January issue.

Still we shouldn’t make fun, especially when so many people actually have a point. This film is lush and beautiful in both its craft as well as the tone. Filmwerk was lucky enough to catch a screening at Frightfest this year and the response the film got was pretty grand. Speaking to the organisers, talent and the crowd it seemed that it was the film at the top of most people’s lists at the festival.

The story has a reporter being sent to track down and then bring home the daughter of his very wealthy boss. Seeing her first as a bit of a princess, and himself a bit of an artsy photographer – they two make for an odd couple. But this isn’t contrived drama where there are huge arguments leading to a romance that you might expect if Jennifer Lopez was your lead. No, instead we are left with much silence as the two travel together, slowly starting to get to know one another and start to understand the condition of the world around them as they make their way home to the United States.

That is essentially the film – it just happens to have giant roaming aliens in the film as well providing us with the sporadic tense set piece and even moments of beauty as they have settled, in an unwelcomed fashion, into our very Earth.

This is a strange science fiction film and one that moves slowly – so it won’t be for everyone. Sci-fi fans need to remember that it is a road movie drama first. But it is also the sign of a very talented script writer and director who has a big future ahead of him. The biggest prize that we are likely to get from this film is that it gave birth to Gareth Edwards’ career.

The sweetest thing we heard though is that Edwards failed to turn up to a screening at a festival one time. Why? Because he instead went to the real life wedding of his two lead actors who fell in love on his set! Now that is priceless!

Steven Hurst

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