M. Night Shyamalan might be only a few directors in history who've simultaneously received as much acclaim as mockery. The next in his lineup of thrillers that eerily evoke The Twilight Zone- Old, based on the 2010 French graphic novel, is engaging right off the bat and has a wholely unique concept- a simultaneous evocation of the passage of time and horrors of old age with a Thriller concept of escaping an island before time runs out. The charasmatic Gael García Bernal has been around for a long time, and he delivers as Guy Cappa, the husband to Vicky Krieps's Prisca, the parents to children age up to young adults before their own eyes in the span of hours. The rest of the cast shine emotionally and even to our horror at times despite spurts of clunky or nearly inaudible dialogue. Old turns silly at times and doesn't quite deliver on its promising concept, nor its influence from Australian New Wave classics like Walkabout, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Jaws. Shyamalan does halfway succeed with his trademark twist ending here despite it being rushed.
The critics and audiences seem to agree on Old being either decent, mediocre or even terrible; I'm in the first camp however. If you want a unique experience to break the monotony of being at home and see obscure graphic novels being brought onto screen, check this out though stay reserved.
Grade- 2.5 out of 4 stars.
The critics and audiences seem to agree on Old being either decent, mediocre or even terrible; I'm in the first camp however. If you want a unique experience to break the monotony of being at home and see obscure graphic novels being brought onto screen, check this out though stay reserved.
Grade- 2.5 out of 4 stars.