Take 54: Send Help
In Send Help, Rachel McAdams plays Linda, an overlooked, employee who is stranded on a deserted island with her bro of boss, Bradley, played by Dylan O’Brien. Where she is a pushover in her regular life, this would be Survivor contestant thrives in this environment a literally brings home the bacon as she turns the employee/boss relationship on its head. Will they be able to overcome their tumultuous, contentious dynamics long enough to survive, or will nature take its course?
It seems like I am stuck in a cycle of horror film after horror film. Unfortunately for me, there just aren’t any comedies out right now. It was literally this or the new Jason Statham movie, but I opted on this one. In my mind, up until the movie started, I had convinced myself that this was the upcoming sequel to Ready or Not, but that doesn’t come out until March. “Oh, this one!” Fortunately, I liked the trailer enough and Rachel McAdams will forever have my goodwill for her role in Mean Girls. And baby, Regina George, she is not! Initially, she is downright mousey. It takes me back to Michelle Pfeiffer’s Selina Kyle. Is she Rodney Dangerfield’s granddaughter- the woman gets not respect. McAdams, wardrobe, and makeup do the unthinkable- they make her crumby. They are able to do the thinkable. It is nice to see her empowerment on the island. And off course, she has her glowup halfway through the movie. Hot ugly girl is unleashed inevitably, but she has a good go at it prior to then.
I’m not that familiar with O’Brien, but he also does a convincing job of playing a douche. We really aren’t supposed to like this guy for most of the movie, and that’s good because I really didn’t like this guy for most of the movie. I really do hope it’s just a testament to his acting and not his really personality because you really do want to just punch him in the face for most of the movie.
It really does have all the makings of a rom-com, but it’s directed by Sam Raimi. Every time he lulls the audience into a false sense of security, he reminds you that Sleepless in Seattle this ain’t. The first reminder is in the plane sequence. It gets BRUTAL and we get our first indication of who these characters are and what they are willing to do to survive. Another is a truly horrific hunting scene. I mean, YIKES. Definitely not for the meek.
Because the film really spends such a huge amount of time with just Linda and Bradley, the character development is there in abundance. There are a lot to like about them, yes, even Bradley, but at the same time, each does some questionable stuff. As the watching, the loyalties of the audience are meant to change. But the end, you really are forced to look at each through a different lens. It’s very modern day film noir. This all leads to the ending which is quite the twist, but one that I saw coming just before the final moments. And it was the only way this movie really could have ended. Actually, I am lying. In my opinion, one more twist needed to happen for it to be truly satisfying, but I see what they were going for it and definitely works—- but man, I really wish I there had been a final reveal. (Message me if you are at all curious about what I am talking about…)
Overall, this movie was a good time. Was it my favorite movie? Nah. Would I watch it again? Maybe, especially now that I know how it plays out. The rewatchability factor IS there. My expectations were moderate, but i was definitely entertained.
My score: 8.7. There are minor issues but none that take away from the end product.
Want to send an SOS of your own? Do it in the comments. And until next time (when maybe I will get back to something lighter…)
