searching
3/4
Starring: John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La
Rated PG-13 for Thematic Elements, Some Drug and Sexual References, and for Language
"searching" is a rare breed in movies these days: a mystery. Hollywood has become so obsessed with superheroes, special effects, and the need to be bigger than the last entry that any movie that can be made for less than $100 million isn't worth anyone's time. That's a broad characterization, but my point is that a mystery like "searching" doesn't come around very often. And when they're made well, it's appreciated. It's not flawless, but when compared to last year's stinker "The Snowman," there's no contest.
David Kim (Cho) is a widowed dad who is close to his daughter Margot (La). But when she leaves a study group one night and doesn't come home, he grows worried. Soon he realizes that his daughter isn't just truant but is in fact a missing person. Tough as nails Detective Rosemary Vick (Messing) is on the case, and in the race against time to find his daughter, David is going to find out just how little he knew her.
Like "Unfriended" four years ago, "searching" takes the approach of being "filmed" through social media. Everything appears to have been done through a computer or FaceTime. It's a novel approach, and this kind of out-of-the-box thinking is something that should be encouraged. If a contrivance or two is necessary to make it work, well, the film moves fast enough that I hardly noticed. Or cared.
I'm glad that writer/director Aneesh Chaganty decided to cast John Cho as the lead. Not because of political correctness (although I'm glad to see that not every movie has to be centered around a generic white guy), but because John Cho is a good actor. He has more range than playing a neurotic stoner or Sulu. As a desperate father, Cho forms an immediate bond with the audience. He's a terrified man, but he's also smart. He's able to process all the information he gets and use it. And while he has little experience with social media, he is able to get around his daughter's privacy settings to find her. There is a scene where David emotionally collapses, and Cho plays it so well that it is genuinely heartbreaking. Debra Messing is almost unrecognizable as Rosemary, but she's quite good as Rosemary. She's tough and determined, and there's never a doubt that she'll get the job done.
"searching" moves quickly, which is good for a thriller like this. Few people who pay attention (and even those who do not) are unlikely to get lost. There are a few moments of sudden realization that are not set up well, but they're easily forgivable. Chaganty does what all good filmmakers should do: he conveys the idea and moves on. I liked the little satirical touches he adds about social media and grief; they lighten the mood in such a dark situation.
This movie isn't any sort of masterpiece, but it's smart and always captivating. If it has to stretch credulity a bit to work at some points, well, don't all thrillers? The challenge for this movie is finding an audience. It lacks star power, special effects or name recognition. But it's worth seeking out, even if it's on DVD or Blu Ray.
Starring: John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La
Rated PG-13 for Thematic Elements, Some Drug and Sexual References, and for Language
"searching" is a rare breed in movies these days: a mystery. Hollywood has become so obsessed with superheroes, special effects, and the need to be bigger than the last entry that any movie that can be made for less than $100 million isn't worth anyone's time. That's a broad characterization, but my point is that a mystery like "searching" doesn't come around very often. And when they're made well, it's appreciated. It's not flawless, but when compared to last year's stinker "The Snowman," there's no contest.
David Kim (Cho) is a widowed dad who is close to his daughter Margot (La). But when she leaves a study group one night and doesn't come home, he grows worried. Soon he realizes that his daughter isn't just truant but is in fact a missing person. Tough as nails Detective Rosemary Vick (Messing) is on the case, and in the race against time to find his daughter, David is going to find out just how little he knew her.
Like "Unfriended" four years ago, "searching" takes the approach of being "filmed" through social media. Everything appears to have been done through a computer or FaceTime. It's a novel approach, and this kind of out-of-the-box thinking is something that should be encouraged. If a contrivance or two is necessary to make it work, well, the film moves fast enough that I hardly noticed. Or cared.
I'm glad that writer/director Aneesh Chaganty decided to cast John Cho as the lead. Not because of political correctness (although I'm glad to see that not every movie has to be centered around a generic white guy), but because John Cho is a good actor. He has more range than playing a neurotic stoner or Sulu. As a desperate father, Cho forms an immediate bond with the audience. He's a terrified man, but he's also smart. He's able to process all the information he gets and use it. And while he has little experience with social media, he is able to get around his daughter's privacy settings to find her. There is a scene where David emotionally collapses, and Cho plays it so well that it is genuinely heartbreaking. Debra Messing is almost unrecognizable as Rosemary, but she's quite good as Rosemary. She's tough and determined, and there's never a doubt that she'll get the job done.
"searching" moves quickly, which is good for a thriller like this. Few people who pay attention (and even those who do not) are unlikely to get lost. There are a few moments of sudden realization that are not set up well, but they're easily forgivable. Chaganty does what all good filmmakers should do: he conveys the idea and moves on. I liked the little satirical touches he adds about social media and grief; they lighten the mood in such a dark situation.
This movie isn't any sort of masterpiece, but it's smart and always captivating. If it has to stretch credulity a bit to work at some points, well, don't all thrillers? The challenge for this movie is finding an audience. It lacks star power, special effects or name recognition. But it's worth seeking out, even if it's on DVD or Blu Ray.
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