Reviewed by Allie Schembra
From Director George Clooney, the small idyllic town of Suburbicon is the perfect place for Gardner Ladge (Academy Award Winner Matt Damon) to make a home. But beneath this tranquil surface list a disturbing reality, where nothing is as it seems. When a break-in leads to the shocking murder of his wife, Gardner must navigate the town’s underbelly of deceit and violence to protect his family from further harm. Academy Award winner Julianne Moore and Oscar Isaac also star in this darkly comedic, suspenseful thriller “full of twists and turns.”
Film (3 1/2 out of 5 stars)
In the 1950s, American families are enjoying a post-World War II country. Suburban neighborhoods are popping up all over the nation, and life seems idyllic. In one such neighborhood – Suburbicon – things are about to change. An African-American family moves in, and all of a sudden, life as all the families know it changes.
In the 1950s, American families are enjoying a post-World War II country. Suburban neighborhoods are popping up all over the nation, and life seems idyllic. In one such neighborhood – Suburbicon – things are about to change. An African-American family moves in, and all of a sudden, life as all the families know it changes.
The Lodge family is one such family. Gardner and Rose Lodge have one son, Nicholas (Nicky). Also in the mix is Rose’s sister, Margaret. When the Mayers family moves in behind the Lodge’s, Margaret tells Nicky to go play with Andy, the little boy. At 11 years old, children are children and don’t see color. However, everyone else does. Later that night, there’s a home invasion at the Lodge’s, and Rose is killed. As the days go by, the neighborhood harassment of the Mayers family escalates and it’s implied that they are the reason that the Lodge’s were robbed and Rose is dead. Little does everyone know that the reason for Rose’s death is much more sinister than just a common home invasion.
I could go on and on about the plot of the movie, but any more of an explanation will start being spoilers and I know how annoyed I get with spoilers, at times, so it just needs to be watched. My love/hate (mostly love) relationship with Matt Damon continues. The more I see him in movies, the more I appreciate his talent, and his ability to be so down-to-earth. Julianne Moore is so good in the dual role of Rose and Margaret. Though Rose is only in the movie for a short time, Moore does an excellent job creating two characters. The rest of the cast were all great in their roles, and I thought the two boys were fabulous. Their characters were so natural playing together.
Suburbicon’s 1080p high definition presentation is very well done. The whole screen is transformed into the 1950s. Not only do the homes, the cars, and every detail reflect the time, but the color scheme does as well. Transitions are smooth and error-free. Suburbicon is a very realistic set, and the video makes the viewer want to be there.
Audio (4 out of 5 stars)
I loved the audio for this movie. Not only was the volume level just right, and all the dialogue intelligible, the score was wonderful. The whole movie took on the sounds of the 1950s – from the music, to the background sounds, to the dialogue itself – it is very well done. The audio is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and is almost flawless. Audio is also available in Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description. If needed, subtitles are available in English, English SDH, and Spanish.
I loved the audio for this movie. Not only was the volume level just right, and all the dialogue intelligible, the score was wonderful. The whole movie took on the sounds of the 1950s – from the music, to the background sounds, to the dialogue itself – it is very well done. The audio is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and is almost flawless. Audio is also available in Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description. If needed, subtitles are available in English, English SDH, and Spanish.
- Commentary by George Clooney and Grant Heslov
- Welcome to Suburbicon (29:50) – A behind-the-scenes look at the movie including interviews with the cast and crew. The feature also gives background on the true events which inspired the movie.
- The Unusual Suspects: Casting (12:49) – This feature talks about the casting process and how each character was thought of and who would portray him or her.
- Scoring Suburbicon (7:54) – The music behind the movie and what went into scoring the scenes.
Summary (3 1/2 out of 5 stars)
Suburbicon, while billed as a “drama/suspense,” I saw it more of a dark comedy. It’s typical Coen Brothers and George Clooney. A fun, witty, look at the dark side of American suburbia. Suburicon is definitely a movie I will watch more than once and with each viewing, I will pick up more subtleties, and more details that I may have missed in earlier viewings.
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