by Frank Calvillo
I can see Midnight Special being one of the most divisive films of the year. The film operates on a level of subtlety that might put off certain moviegoers, while others will certainly find themselves endlessly taken by the intriguing aspects of the story, not to mention the stunning visuals. Whatever side of the fence audiences fall on, Midnight Special remains one big jigsaw puzzle that works as a chase movie, a comment on cults and the unstoppable love between a parent and a child.
In Midnight Special, a man named Roy (Michael Shannon) has left the clutches of the cult he has belonged to for many years when it is discovered that his son Alton (Jaeden Lieberher) has unexplained powers which indicate he is from another world. Along with his childhood friend Lucas (Joel Edgerton), the trio reunite with Alton’s mother Sarah (Kirsten Dunst) as they try to outrun members of their former cult, headed by Calvin (Sam Shepherd), as well as NSA agent Sevier (Adam Driver) on their way to delivering Alton to the world to which he belongs.
The film opens with great amount of intrigue, letting the audience try and piece together what kind of story they have found themselves in, just like any well-constructed thriller should. There’s heart pounding suspense from the word go, from the cult scenes, which are appropriately harrowing, to the many action sequences and obstacles which stand in the main characters’ way, including cult members, state police, and Alton’s own characteristics, which make him stand out. Additionally, Midnight Special moves at a perfect pace that’s quick enough to keep things moving at a brisk speed, but allows enough time to absorb character and emotional aspects of the plot.
As a science fiction film, Midnight Special more than surpasses most recent entries. Writer/director Jeff Nichols’ tale offers up a tale full of soulful wonder featuring some of the best cinematography of the year, which gives the film a definite beauty and curiosity. Even the most ordinary shots seem to be infused with such a richness that automatically places the film a cut above most others in the genre.
Midnight Special has more than earned the right to be called true science fiction simply by relying on concepts and ideas rather than an endless parade of special effects.The best example of this is the scene where Alton is describing what he knows and who he is, which has such a magic quality to it that’s hard to fully describe. Like any good film of its kind, however, there are plenty of great visual sequences, such as the breathtaking meteor shower and the final set piece, which is so wondrous and magnificent, yet still manages to retain that intimate feel that the rest of the film has had throughout. It’s the subtlety and beauty of the effects, all of which are deeply felt and made all the more powerful by the way they are sparsely used throughout the film.
Ultimately, though, Midnight Special is a film about the love that exists between a parent and a child. Here, the character of Roy is made so incredibly heartbreaking when it’s realized just how far he will go to protect his son from the outside world who will see him as different. Roy and Sarah’s understanding of what has to be done and how much it hurts them to give up their only child forever is incredibly painful to watch. However their act stands as one of the ultimate forms of love and only grows more touching as the film goes on.
A film as unique and involving as Midnight Special can’t help but bring out the best from its cast, which is certainly the case here. Shepherd hasn’t been this good in quite some time, while Driver enjoys one of his best roles to date. Shannon naturally delivers, as does Edgerton, who does some real solid work with his character. Lieberher is so incredibly mesmerizing, and Dunst is simply lovely in one of the most poignant roles of her career. No one here has particularly large amounts of dialogue to work with, but this doesn’t stop any of the cast from turning in some truly amazing work.
I would have loved more exploration into Alton’s origins and where he comes from, as well as the cult itself, but in the end, such exposition would have probably resulted in a more muddled, less personal film. As it stands, each scene is filled with so much power and life all its own that turning away even for a second is not even an option. I love how this film came from a studio as big as Warner Bros. It shows how one of the major players in the industry is not afraid of the original voice and will allow a filmmaker’s unique concept and vision to exist and flourish.
The Package
Two elements comprise the special features section of the disc. The first, Origins, gives some backstory to the film’s main characters, which helps to answer certain questions that some may feel were left unanswered, while the second, The Unseen World, is a fairly standard making-of in which Nichols reveals his inspiration behind the film and how he chose not to explain anything about the world Alton came from, preferring instead to let the audience create their own theories.
The Lowdown
Personal tastes will dictate how each individual will respond to Midnight Special, but everyone can unanimously agree that the film stands in a class of its own.
Midnight Special is out this week on Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
