1976. A black box is dropped at the house of Norma and Arthur Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden), a happily married couple with a kid. They have the house, the car, the careers and things seem quite perfect in their front. Well, there are some problems. NASA employee Arthur fails to get his chance to become an astronaut and the private school Norma is teaching at -and their son goes to school to- cuts off his scholarship. And there is the almost life-long disability that has been bothering Norma, her constant limping due to her 4 cut-off toes. What comes in the form of a suggestion however is something they never could have anticipated.
A mysterious old man – Arlington Steward – with an extremely disfigured half-face appears at the door. Norma invites the man in, both shocked and intrigued. As it turns out, this is the man who dropped the mysterious black box at their door and he has come with a proposition. The box has a red button. If the couple presses it within 24 hours, someone they don’t know will die. And they will receive $1.000.000, if she and her husband don’t tell anyone. He leaves Norma shocked. Arthur doesn’t really take it seriously. But after a while, “what if” questions start to surface. What if that man is serious? What if they will actually be paid $1.000.000? Are they ready to be responsible to be responsible for someone’s death?
Eventually, money and financial troubles win over conscience and the button is pushed.
It turns out Arlington meant everything he said. But will their act have other consequences? Who the hell is Arlington Steward? Why are there so many people around them acting weird? Where does the money come from? Will they ever be safe?
Now, this movie has one of the most interesting premises I have ever run into. I found myself glued to the screen, wondering about Arlington, the money and feeling shocked at the fact that both Norma took the man seriously and easily pushed the button. How could a seemingly good person be that reckless of someone else’s life? The movie is slowly-paced, intending to build the tension and curiosity. While I can’t say I was bored, I couldn’t find the exciting explanation I was waiting for in the end. What happened and why will be shown to you to a certain extent. However a lot will left to your imagination and interpretation.
The screenplay is based on a short-story by Richard Matheson, called Button, Button. The movie is written for the screen and directed by Richard Kelly, writer and director of the cult hit Donnie Darko. While Darko is better-paced, I was more intrigued by The Box.
I am looking forward to read Matheson’s story and see how much/what Kelly left out.
I should say it is always good to watch Marsden and Frank Langella really crept me out.
6.0 on IMDB. I guess I can say 6.5-7 for some parts and 6.0 for other.
Favorite Line
Norma Lewis: What happens now? Will you make the offer to someone else?
Arlington Stweard:Yes, Mrs Lewis. And you can be sure it will be made to someone you don’t know.
Favorite Scene
Last conflict for the Lewises. My favorite part of the whole movie.
this movie was boring!!!!! James Marsden was ok, Frank langella was ok, but i couldn’t stand to watch Cameron Diaz…Richard Kelly is a great director, did an extraordinary job at Donnie Darko but here this movie sorry Mr. Kelly.
I think it was OK. The premise was really interesting but our dear Kelly really took his time to tell it. He sacrificed pace in the name of mystery and in the end, the movie ended up a little anti-climactic. I am still excited about the short story of Matheson though. What a killer idea for a story!
And I am still interested in seeing Southland Tales. I wonder how that one turned out.