It is a tired bit that I love movies where the action is set in one location for the entire runtime.
From memory, this was a blank pick I made scrolling through Netflix.
My only experience of Adam Pally before this were his appearances on Jon Gabrus’ podcast. Rosa Salazar, Battle Angel herself, was even more of a non-entity.
I bring this up because it meant I could go into the movie unburdened by expectations. It is almost impossible to see a movie this way any more - and it paid off.
It is so hard to describe the film without comparing it to a play. It is mostly a conversation between two people, but at no point does it feel stagebound or verbose.
The story is always changing in terms of the characters’ dynamic, and they are constantly moving through the house as they attempt to evade and confront each other.
Pally does a good job as the naive Kevin - this character could have come across as a total doormat (Instead he is wooly rug).
The character has a clear arc, but the script and Pally are savvy enough to make sure this transformation is not a straight arrow in one direction. One of the film’s tensions is Kevin’s struggle with loyalty to the team and its messianic coach (Peter Krause).
Salazar does not try to shave off any of her characters’ rough edges. One of the most interesting aspects of her character is how she continues to hold a torch for the coach who she has been having an affair with - Salazar plays this rapture out with a knowing resignation. Unlike Kevin, she knows she is as stuck as he is.
In its clash between these characters, in its own modest way Night Owls is a good movie about the corruption underpinning college sports, and more clear-eyed about deeper issues around misogyny, class and racism are reflected in the public perception of celebrity - particularly when that celebrity is white and male.
Worth a look.
If you are new to this blog, I also co-host a podcast on James Bond, The James Bond Cocktail Hour.
No comments:
Post a Comment