By Paul Hall
The world is a changing place right now. Sure, it always was changing, but now more than ever things are being altered, updated, postponed or canceled at an accelerated pace. Originally, this week’s review was to focus on A Quiet Place II and its nationwide release, but given the current state of the world, the film has been postponed. So I thought it would be good to return to the quiet. I took a step back and reviewed the original release of A Quiet Place with new eyes and a new perspective, and the review that follows illustrates how scary it remains. Enjoy.
Life has changed for the Abbott family. The world is a quieter and more dangerous place. Alien creatures walk the world and there has been countless loss of life as we open the film. A simple glance at a paper on the ground tells us the creatures hunt via sound. It takes mere minutes to see just how serious the situation is for the family.
Lee (John Krasinski) and his wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt) are trying to raise their children as normally as one can within a world that lacks sound. It’s a struggle as communication difficulties lead to misunderstandings and intentions are not always clear. But their goal is clear: survive and, if possible, thrive in the harshest of surroundings.
Clocking in at only 90 minutes in length, A Quiet Place is a tightly wound and efficiently told story that left me gasping for air. It is best viewed in a darkened room with the sound cranked up to experience the subtleties of the quiet juxtaposed against the explosiveness of mayhem.
The acting performances are outright amazing, especially given the lack of dialogue. A quick glance, a look of disgust or just a finger over the lips can convey so many emotions. Krasinski serving as both director and star does an amazing job of pulling performances from his stars, including himself. I was really impressed with Millicent Simmonds who, in the role of the Abbotts’ daughter, Regan, exuded amazing acting chops at relaying a feeling without an extended oratory.
This was an amazing film at first glance, but viewing it again today makes one thing clear no matter the time or the place, silence is deafening and can be as scary as the noise around us. Stay safe, everyone.
I loved revisiting this film, but some may not want to look at this type of fare during a time of uneasiness. No matter how you spend time social distancing, Hollywood has something for you to survive.
Paul’s Grade: A-
A Quiet Place
Rated PG-13
Stars: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward
Director: John Krasinski