‘Split’ Review with Jeff T

‘Split’ is a 2017 film directed by M.Night Shyamalan and dives into a version of disassociative identity disorder and this issues that it brings with it. In the film, we meet Dennis, Patricia, Hedwig, Barry, Orwell, Jade, and, many other identities all played by James McAvoy. We go on this journey with him as we meet some of his different personalities and it keeps you on the edge of your seat because you will never know who it will be as he turns his head and for that alone the premise is great.

The film had a good and overall it allowed you to truly get sucked into the story in an engaging way. While plot issues can be found the story that is focused on is quick and efficient. While we both wanted some kind of emotional connection to be formed with the characters we were being shown none was given. We were left to understand the motivations of all the characters by solely what was shown on screen and at times it was clear and others it is muddy. The plot is simple as it focuses on three kidnapped girls and the man that is holding them, every second is tense for the girls trying to escape into safety but McAvoy, you never know which identity you will meet till he speaks and the tension that it creates is intense.

One of our favorite parts of the film is truly the craft of the actual filmmaking. The cinematography by Micheal Gioulakis is breathtaking, to say the least. He crafts beautiful moments out of mundane scenes and it is amazing to watch. Every shot is framed perfectly and he directs your eyes exactly where they need to be. Most of the time we are simply in this windowless space and about 5 or 6 rooms for the entire film but every new shot is fresh and keeps you interested in what is happening in them.

The next best part of the sound by West Dylan Thordson is amazing in the way that it will set the tone so effortlessly. Every scene we are shown is underscored by beautiful tonal music that creates the tension in any scene. Transforming the simple aspects into tense moments that truly become unpredictable and it all stems from the music. The score adds the needed level as many times the contents of the frame and the way they are put together is quite simplistic but the thumping score keeps you on edge as you do not know what will happen next. It truly brings you into the world and gives you the ear to hear every door creak and footstep in the film.

Overall, the film is technically amazing from the way it creates the drama because the story doesn’t have the pull that we wanted. You are pulled into the action through the story and it keeps you intrigued as the mystery unfolds but simply there was not enough emotionally to get attached to the story.

Jeff: 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐/5

Suneel: 3 ⭐⭐⭐/5

SPOILER DISCUSSION

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HOLY COOL ENDING SHYAMALAN!!!!

The reveal at the end that this film takes place in the same universe that his previous film ‘Unbreakable’ does is so intriguing. We are now shown that in this world there are super powered individuals that are causing harm to the world so whether the next one will be Bruce Willis’ character David Dunn dealing with what has become “The Horde” or a further step into exploring what powers are being discovered in this world.  We definetly are intrigued at what Split 2 or Unbreakable 2 could bring and check out our audio conversation to here what we want from the sequel.

Images courtesy of Blumhouse Productions