Chloë Grace Moretz Delivers Hitchcockian Suspense in Greta - Quick Ones

I’m Chad with a Quick One, brought to you by Movie Night Autopsy.

Greta, the latest installment for writer-director Neil Jordan, is a refreshing thriller to smoothly coalesce the cinema-base before the popcorn drenched master blast of summer movies start in mid-March.

Chloë Grace Moretz portrays Frances McCullen, a woman trying to keep her head down in the big city. Still in mourning after her mother’s death, she struggles to deal with her relationship with her father, work obligations or social situations. She’s not jaded, just shell-shocked.

The only thing Frances doesn’t struggle with his helping others, which in turn will actually be her downfall. She comes across a handbag on the subway. Instead of leaving it there, like a normal New Yorker, she does her due diligence to return it to the original owner.

Enter Greta, hauntingly portrayed by Isabelle Huppert.

When our two leads meet, it would appear that each other is filling a void in the other's lives. Frances is looking for a mother, whether she realizes it or not, and Greta’s loneliness after her husband’s death and daughter’s estrangement warrants someone to bond with and mentor.
Or so it would seem.

This is where the maniacal laugh goes. I’m not gonna do try and do it, it’s not very good. Okay maybe a little .

*cough*

Buhaha o this was stupid. Back to the review.
This movie has a small but sufficient cast, but the two leads really know how to work off each other and run the gamut of emotions needed. And boy, that’s a whole lotta feelin’s.

The movie fools you at first, playing itself off as possibly a simple drama. It doesn’t really kick off until the beginning of the second act. At first, I thought this was a misstep. Suspense is all about the execution (pun somewhat intended). But the more I think about it, the more I realize an argument could be made for misdirection.

With each creepy reveal, it’s hard not to turn into a detective to figure a way out for the main character. Phrases like “I would do this” or “She should do that” may appear in the front of your brain. But remember, this movie isn’t about you. It’s about two people trying to be made whole. They both just make horrible mistakes to do so, with two people greatly suffering but only one of them is truly guilty.

It would appear Neil Jordan follows the rules of suspense like a proper student of the greats. The guy has done his homework. Plenty of subtext for the nitpickers and irony for the drama hounds. The film is absolutely Hitchcockian, but not in the way you think. Yes, great shots persist throughout. But the real kicker is Jordan’s approach to suspense is similar to what Hitch achieved.

The real suspense isn’t in the paranormal or mythical beasts personified by bloody slashers. It’s the truth that society’s worst fears are right in front of us all along. One person who’s loneliness and depression grows to maniacal action.

People you know. They ride the subway. They walk their dog in the park. They give piano lessons. And oftentimes, your kind-heartedness and charitable works is exactly what they need to manifest their evil.

I give this film 7 out of 10 Finger snack cookies… Um, it will make sense once you see the movie.
This has been Chad with a quick one, brought to you by Movie Night Autopsy.   

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