SEARCHING Nailed it, bailed it or failed it? Let’s play!
Writing: NAILED IT! In what is probably the most original style of storytelling in a very long time, Searching gives us the entire story - including all of the dialogue and action - through computer and mobile phone screens and social media services we’re all familiar with. Every scene gives us snippets of the story and they’re just enough to form a comprehensive, easy-to-follow thriller. It is actually surprisingly easy to follow the movie, since it really makes sure the audience knows what’s going on, but it does require more attention than the average thriller since a big part of the communication is entirely visual. While the bulk of the script is formed by a well-paced and simple story (albeit with several twists), the deeper message is hard to miss: we live big parts of our lives online, and we leave huge digital footprints wherever we go.
Characters and Acting: NAILED IT! It’s a tight but amazing cast, headed by Lost alumni John Cho. The performances are so mundane you hardly even realize that it’s all just acting. Debra Messing and Joseph Lee put in great performances as well and the supporting cast feels just as natural as the main stars. Some of the phone calls heard throughout the film sound fake and too rehearsed, but that might be more due to sloppy dialogue writing than the actual performances.
Direction: NAILED IT! Aneesh Chaganty has a clear vision for his film and he manages to keep the story together despite the unconventional style. Chaganty knows where to place his actors and where to put the focus of the scene so that he keeps the realistic tone while moving the story forward. There are scenes which split the action across several screens or apps, but the direction makes sure the viewer never gets lost.
Visuals: NAILED IT!
In all of its simplicity, basically copying those familiar desktop and app designs, the visual side of the film is amazingly original.
Sound: NAILED IT! The sound effects are just as you’d expect but they’re amplified by a wonderful score.
Pacing: NAILED IT! Searching is not a very fast-paced thriller by any means. It cuts expertly between different apps and programs, constantly playing with the pacing and the style. That is what keeps the film interesting and entertaining all the way to the end.
Themes: NAILED IT Our digital footprints, the dark side of internet, the importance of good family relations, the desperation of a father in grief. Big and important themes that are very timely in the society of today.
Atmosphere: NAILED IT! This film will keep you on the edge of the seat. It’s exciting, particularly in its final act, but also deeply touching and emotional.
Rewatchability: NAILED IT! It’s only after you finish watching when you realise that many clues leading to the truth have been hidden in front of you in plain sight the entire time. Searching requires a few rewatched if you want to catch every single detail.
Expectations: NAILED IT! I expected a lot, hearing about the unconventional storytelling. The final product is more than just a movie, something closer to an actual experience. It’s more enjoyable if you are familiar with and integrated in the modernized society of today.
Bottom line: NAILED IT! Searching is on of the most original thrillers ever created, using everyday technology to tell us an important story about the lived all of us live every day in the 21st century. It’s a movie you just have to see in order to fully understand.
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParent2019-10-18T16:42:59Z
SEARCHING
Nailed it, bailed it or failed it?
Let’s play!
Writing: NAILED IT!
In what is probably the most original style of storytelling in a very long time, Searching gives us the entire story - including all of the dialogue and action - through computer and mobile phone screens and social media services we’re all familiar with. Every scene gives us snippets of the story and they’re just enough to form a comprehensive, easy-to-follow thriller.
It is actually surprisingly easy to follow the movie, since it really makes sure the audience knows what’s going on, but it does require more attention than the average thriller since a big part of the communication is entirely visual.
While the bulk of the script is formed by a well-paced and simple story (albeit with several twists), the deeper message is hard to miss: we live big parts of our lives online, and we leave huge digital footprints wherever we go.
Characters and Acting: NAILED IT!
It’s a tight but amazing cast, headed by Lost alumni John Cho. The performances are so mundane you hardly even realize that it’s all just acting. Debra Messing and Joseph Lee put in great performances as well and the supporting cast feels just as natural as the main stars.
Some of the phone calls heard throughout the film sound fake and too rehearsed, but that might be more due to sloppy dialogue writing than the actual performances.
Direction: NAILED IT!
Aneesh Chaganty has a clear vision for his film and he manages to keep the story together despite the unconventional style. Chaganty knows where to place his actors and where to put the focus of the scene so that he keeps the realistic tone while moving the story forward. There are scenes which split the action across several screens or apps, but the direction makes sure the viewer never gets lost.
Visuals: NAILED IT!
In all of its simplicity, basically copying those familiar desktop and app designs, the visual side of the film is amazingly original.
Sound: NAILED IT!
The sound effects are just as you’d expect but they’re amplified by a wonderful score.
Pacing: NAILED IT!
Searching is not a very fast-paced thriller by any means. It cuts expertly between different apps and programs, constantly playing with the pacing and the style. That is what keeps the film interesting and entertaining all the way to the end.
Themes: NAILED IT
Our digital footprints, the dark side of internet, the importance of good family relations, the desperation of a father in grief. Big and important themes that are very timely in the society of today.
Atmosphere: NAILED IT!
This film will keep you on the edge of the seat. It’s exciting, particularly in its final act, but also deeply touching and emotional.
Rewatchability: NAILED IT!
It’s only after you finish watching when you realise that many clues leading to the truth have been hidden in front of you in plain sight the entire time. Searching requires a few rewatched if you want to catch every single detail.
Expectations: NAILED IT!
I expected a lot, hearing about the unconventional storytelling. The final product is more than just a movie, something closer to an actual experience. It’s more enjoyable if you are familiar with and integrated in the modernized society of today.
Bottom line: NAILED IT!
Searching is on of the most original thrillers ever created, using everyday technology to tell us an important story about the lived all of us live every day in the 21st century. It’s a movie you just have to see in order to fully understand.