‘Disorder definitely could have benefited from more…order.’
Director
Alice Winocour succeeded in giving us a juicy subject matter, yet never quiet
hit’s the ground running with it. With the more than capable Matthia’s
Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone, The Drop) as Vincent; an ex-soldier suffering from
PTSD making his way as a security guard, initially this solid thriller was
placed in good hands. Winocour sets the scene perfectly, as we witness an
electrifying invitation only party where our wounded soldier quickly becomes
obsessed with Jessie (Diane Kruger). This oh so glamorous lady of the house and
her young son are placed in the secure protection of Vincent after discovering
her Lebanese businessman of a husband is stuck in a tight spot. If anxiety
levels aren’t high enough; whilst everyone else is walking on egg shells
Vincent has to constantly juggle his condition as well as ensuring their
immediately safety.
On
a whole, the films premise is quiet an intense one and in the main the acting
supports this. It is refreshing to see Kruger and Schoenaerts doing something
other than the wishy-washy roles Hollywood provides them with. A lack of
dialogue and awkward lines are given to Schoenarts suffering Vincent which only
enhances his condition and at times makes for humorous viewing. The choice to
have Vincent viewed as unhealthy stalker-ish for the most part; as we see
various close ups of him ogling Jessie whenever he gets the chance subtracts from
the empathy we are intended to feel for his status and replaces it with
mistrust in his immediate mission at hand. Simultaneously, the sub-plots
completely detract from his PTSD making it all the more difficult to focus on
such a theme and not become swept away in the latter half which evolves into a
sinister home invasion spin off.
His
disease takes the back seat enabling suspicions to emerge. The main question
that arises and hit’s us square in the face, is that is there really someone
out to get this family or is Vincent so drugged up and unstable that his
paranoia is truly getting the better of him? Is his friend that got him the job
in on it, or are we as the audience starting to think like our fragile war
veteran? Credit where credits due; tension was built skillfully along with
sound, it was just a shame we knew what was coming a mile off and a lot of
questions remained unanswered. Artistic tendencies creep through giving us
beautiful shots of peaceful Maryland that is so cleverly turned into a dark and
scary landscape quiet rapidly.
Glaring
holes in the plot leave room for one to jump to conclusions when it comes to
figuring out the mystery here. As much as everyone involved tried to make this
about a man with Post traumatic stress disorder, the overall project felt
rushed and relied far too heavily on an ear drum shattering soundtrack.
Disorder has its moments, but there is something missing.
Disorder is
released Good Friday, 25th March 2016.
98 mins, 15 (2015)
