After a rather slow first act, the film finally sparks with emotion during the second act set in Brazil, thanks to an entertaining supporting cast. Nevertheless, the movie falls flat once again during its epilogue. We should feel relief and joy for the protagonist, but it’s difficult to empathise with her due to her deceptive and manipulative ways.
The pleasant surprise of the festival as it wasn’t the expected silly comedy but a perfectly balanced suspenseful, humoristic and dramatic picture.
Although it lacks a bit more of punch in the social commentary aspect, it still enjoys from a great lead and ensemble cast for which the story is built very enjoyably for a satisfying ending.
Besides the curious sound effects to differentiate ghosts and humans and some of the scenes with Fabian Loo, this movie is quite insufferable.
All other elements of the film are corny to an extreme degree and the boring ghost story overshadows what, treated in a different manner, could have been a more endearing realistic family drama set during the Covid pandemic period.
The premise of the heist and the tension that comes from it is just an excuse for a great indictment against urban life in favour of the idyllic rural one presented via beautiful impressionistic imagery.
Nonetheless, the movie still manages to be suspenseful as well as weirdly funny as well as also adequately looking into the clash between prioritising money or love through the development of the two main protagonists.
Its only downside is its feeling of being at times an overcontemplative piece of filmmaking which causes the movie to slightly drag at some points.
Durkin manages to set a great 80’s atmosphere, mostly thanks to the colour tonality and soundtrack chosen.
The hand of Chavo Guerrero is felt in the great wrestling choreography, but on the flipside the in-ring camera work sometimes diminishes its effect.
Another uneven element is the writing. The movie never feels like a true family drama, but rather an isolated look into several doomed characters. Nonetheless, the acceptable (but slightly theatrical) work from the cast and its cheesy but actually effective ending manage to emotionally move you.
