Today’s quick review: Serenity. Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey), a washed-up fisherman living on a remote island, faces a pivotal choice when his ex-wife Karen (Anne Hathaway) offers him $10 million to kill her abusive husband Frank (Jason Clarke). Baker must decide between the unsuccessful but honest life he’s been living and the chance to save his son Patrick (Rafael Sayegh) from his stepfather, at the cost of becoming a murderer.
Serenity is a crime drama and mystery with a dash of something more. Matthew McConaughey stars as Baker Dill, a veteran turned fisherman who ekes out a living taking tourists out on the water and is obsessed with the hunt for Justice, an elusive tuna. His complex relationship with Karen, his love for Patrick, and the moral urgings of his first mate Duke (Djimon Hounsou) all contribute to the central question of whether he will become a killer.
Serenity focuses heavily on its lead and the many subtle details of his life. Baker makes for a nuanced character, driven by a range of motivations both selfish and altruistic. Strong acting from Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway gives the film a firm foundation to build on, while Jason Clarke’s effortlessly despicable performance as Frank adds yet another dimension to Baker’s choice.
The other key component of Serenity is the mystery unfolding in the background. The build-up begins with Baker’s visions of his son but soon extends to Plymouth Island itself. The movie is packed with small incongruities that hint at something larger, early seeds that bear fruit later on. Not everyone will appreciate the wrench this throws in the story, but it does give Serenity an intriguing and distinctive angle, especially later on.
Serenity does have two issues holding it back: a static plot and mixed payoff. There are enough subplots to keep Baker busy throughout the film, but ultimately his only choice of consequence is whether or not to commit the murder. The resolution of the film is also not as elegant as it could have been. The main plot wraps up well enough, but several subplots fall by the wayside, and the background mystery is handled imperfectly.
More broadly, the target Serenity is aiming for is a difficult one to hit. The binary nature of Baker’s choice puts an enormous amount of pressure on the writing to make the choice seem meaningful, a task at which Serenity is only partially successful. Another difficulty is that the premise is a bait-and-switch. The initial premise belongs to a crime drama, but the larger mystery drags the film into something bordering on sci-fi or fantasy.
The end result is a conceptually interesting film with solid execution but without quite enough skill to tie everything together. Those interested in a noir-esque crime drama that evolves into something stranger may want to give Serenity a shot. Its acting, writing, and ideas are enough to make it a fascinating watch. But Serenity is a niche pick at best. Those looking for a straightforward crime movie will want to steer clear.
For a darker, more stylized mystery that touches on similar themes in a more powerful way, try Dark City. For a thriller with some of the same foreboding, try The Adjustment Bureau.
5.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for interesting ideas and decent execution; your score will vary.