REVIEW: A desolate holiday home, three characters and a murder. Much can be made of this permutation in combination and Charlie McDowell’s windfall is one of them. This might have been an excellent thriller but for the producers it is a missed opportunity. This movie tries hard to be direct and thus you will find that none of the characters in the movies have names.
The movie is about a man (nobody in the movie) who breaks into the vacation home of a billionaire just to get a feel for what it feels like to be an extremely wealthy person. After stealing a Rolex and some money, just as he is about to leave, the tech billionaire goes with his trophy wife to the holiday home. From there, it’s a messy journey for all three characters. The man takes the couple hostage and demands more money.
‘Windfall’ is also a commentary on class division – those who have and those who do not have the rich and the poor. When Jesse Plemmons’ character describes the world as “full of loafers and freeloaders”, there is a glimpse into his mind. Similarly, when the man at the top tells him “you have everything and I have nothing”, the separation is complete. When the sail’s character says in the climax, “Deep down, I really wanted you to be good, to make life feel fairer. But when I saw the right one, nothing feels fair,” it sums up the film’s goal. . The highlight of the film is open and leaves many interpretations.
This is a layered drama that would have bound subtitles if only the narrative had been only slightly aggravated. The suspense is somehow lacking in the film. It was an opportunity to sink Jesse Plemons’ teeth into a character who is incredible, rich and has a myopic view of the world. The fear and suspense that Jesse and Lilly might evoke through their expression would have made a world of difference to this thriller. It also pays homage to Chekhov’s weapon rule and thus viewers are introduced to the gun in the heavy marble decoration element at the beginning of the film itself.
The Hitchcockian-style opening credits of the film give a sense of what’s going on. Jason Segel in the role of a man who breaks into the house or ‘nobody’ does a good job and this also applies to Jesse Plemons and Lily Collins. The writers have worked hard to ensure that all three main roles are well defined and developed. ‘Windfall’ does not break the ground, but it does keep you entertained.
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