MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (2016) — Sleeper Awakened

4/22/2016 - Midnight Special (2016) - 7-/10

Is there and emotional equivalent to being "contemplative"? If there is, Midnight Special is that. Quiet and tightly bound, while bursting at the seems with intensity and aureatness. A thrilling sci-fi adventure wrapped around a sensitive family drama, this was a fine and innovative film that deserves to be seen, especially in this time of big action nonsense, Hollywood retreads, and sequel-itis.

Shannon's emotive despondence paints an ever deepening tableau of heartbreak. Few actors working today can do so much with so little. Dunst is solid +, as is the goofus Driver. A strong cast that is buoyed by a sensitive boiled-down-to-essence script and deft storytelling direction.

Some threads feel a bit too thin, trying to tie the over-arching plot together but underwhelmingly. I am also torn between feeling the plot details are too esoteric/enjoying the mystery, but then having that flipped for the last 1/3 of the film and whether that greater insight is detrimental to the film. Quibbles all though.

A masterful mixture of Close Encounters/Starman with The Fugitive and an indie familial drama (Shotgun Stories anyone?). Midnight Special is not my favorite of Nichols work thus far (Take Shelter), but delivers an intriguing, spellbinding genre-bender that is quiet but substantial. Check it out.