FilmReflections -- 10 Cloverfield Lane

Rating: 7/10 (12 July 2016)

10 Cloverfield Lane is beautifully directed by Matt Reeves, and its cinematography is excellent. The close shots in the beginning and throughout the film lend to it's drama and suspense. The story contains irony that keeps the ending in your head well after the credits. Mary Elizabeth Winstead's character Michelle is a broken bundle of emotions and Winstead harnesses her fragile nature flawlessly, while seamlessly showing her incredible emotional range, sometimes mid- scene. Throughout the movie Michelle seems to heal somewhat, and then becomes broken again when she learns the broader context of her situation.
John Gallagher Jr.'s character Emmet is a needed snap on character who makes the story more robust, and his presence gives the needed shock and awe in the later scenes. John Goodman's character Howard is hard to read in the early part of the film. Goodman builds the suspense artfully in his performance, allowing us not to see what lies under his veil until he is ready.
This act for certain is one that will not leave you disappointed.