‘Suburbicon’
Directed: George Clooney
Starring: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore
Rating: R
2 (Out Of 5) Globes
Plot: “Suburbicon” is an idyllic suburb in the heartland of America, which is packed with peaceful, affordable homes and pristine lawns. But in the summer of 1959 the dark underbelly of the community is revealed when a new family moves into the neighborhood. At the same time, Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon) has to deal with both a tragedy and the looming threat of the mob, while his sister in law Margaret (Julianne Moore) starts to take a more hands on approach regarding him and his son Nicky (Noah Jupe).
Review: “Suburbicon” is instantly forgettable. In fact, you’ll have already moved onto new things in your head before the credits roll. It’s also not the categorical disaster or mess that you have probably already read about. Just utterly innocuous. Considering the talent involved that’s quite remarkable. While it is now clear that George Clooney’s impact as a director peaked with 2005’s “Good Night And Good Luck,” the presence of Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac, and the fact that the film was written by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Grant Heslov, and Clooney mean it should have much more to say. Instead, it is nowhere near tense, funny, or satirical enough. Robert Elswit’s cinematography is a high point, as he manages to create a beguiling mood, but neither the script nor Clooney’s direction can take advantage of it. “Suburbicon” isn’t just Hitchcock lite in its suspense, but Coen lite in its comedy, while its attempt at commentary are so rudimentary is doesn’t register in the slightest. That being said, there’s just enough to stop it from being a complete bore. But, come the end, you’ll still think it wasn’t worth your time.
