IR Film Review: SMILE [Paramount]
The deconstruction of illusion and, by extension, logic is always the crux of a supernatural approach to a film. “Smile” has done some interesting maneuvering since it is catchy but, by the trailers, one would maybe see a one note slasher. This is far from the truth. It is a psychological character study about the dismantling of a psychologist in her own head through her own trauma. The film is by no means dynamically groundbreaking but it is narratively tight, visually arresting without being overdone and fairly well acted with Sosie Bacon pulling a very deep control of the character. She is the daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick but it is not immediately apparent which makes the viewer allow her to disappear into the role. Seeing her control as a psychologist come undone is perfectly believable because she is slowly losing everything and yet no one can see this. The logic and the build of this is not about jump scares though this does have some of those. Certain images towards the end are perfectly realized in the metaphors it is approaching but also using the confines of the mind as outwards geography
“Smile” is subtle and overt but this is not “Inception”. It is an effective concept that uses a very simple tactic that this reviewer won't give away. It is not trying to be slick per se. It is trying to be classic while still being modern but not overly so. Kyle Gallner, who has made his mark in many independent films, takes on the job of the ex-boyfriend/cop. While not as dynamic as Bacon's role, his levelheadness perhaps fares better than some of the other actors including Kal Penn who tends to come off a little smarmy. What really works and is key to the film's success is the set up in the first couple scenes in both grounding and subverting the plot. It follows Dr. Cotter (Bacon) doing her rounds. What happens could be explained away but the first intensity as seen in the trailer is delivered right away and then does what good films like this do. It resets in a way and completely builds back up to a crescendo slowly tightening the grip. Again “Smile” is not a perfect film but it hits many of the right notes to make it both smart, enjoyable and filled with dread without shutting off the audience. B+
By Tim Wassberg
