Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE ASSESSMENT [Toronto Intl Film Festival 2024 - Toronto, Ontario]
A movie based on choice and character build always comes down to situation. With “The Assessment” [Special Presentations/World Premiere] set in the near future it has to do with perspective, perception, what we want and how much we will put up with to get it. Hamish Patel and Elizabeth Olsen play a couple who for all intents and purposes seem happy even in their isolation. She has her work. He has his. They both are working on important things. Their sex life and communication seems good…and they are not affected by the ravages of society since they are in a way removed from it on what looks like a secluded isle. But they are still being controlled. Interestingly enough by the state. This is a moving trend at TIFF this year with family and control. The assessment element has to do with a external force in Virginia (played by Alicia Vikander) who is brought in by the state to figure out and assess if this couple have what is necessary to become parents (which seems to take place in a lab anyway). There is speech of the Old World but it is not quite defined.
Like “Brave Nrw World,” it shows how the divide hits. Unlike that recent series, this world is only defined by what we see inside the characters and not the world it is showing us. Vikander has the more showy part and does some real interesting elements with it both dark, poignant, sad and simply seething in what it is supposed to evoke. The movie does give an explanation which is necessary at a point but its deliverance is what would be expected. It doesn’t take away some of the haunting elements of performance though especially at times between Olsen and Vikander since it plays with expectations. Vikander herself has does this interestingly picking roles but not quite dipping into the mainstram which she did once with “Tomb Raider.” Olsen reaffirms her indie roots after playing in the Marvel sandbox (though she did recently do an interesting HBO series). Patel, as a character, is a pansy but provides perspective needed especially when the fault is his when given the choice. His eventual result makes sense but speaks to a word superlative of his character which comes out more selfish though he always tries to play to the latter. A dinner scene (sporting an acidic Minnie Driver) evascerbates the theme of control and what they think peace is. “The Assessment” tackles some interesting issues albeit set within a very specific construct but the character discussions it creates are more than plentiful. B+
By Tim Wassberg
