Good from the Get-Go

Rating: 8/10 (28 February 2017)

(RATING: ☆☆☆☆ out of 5)
GRADE: B
THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED
IN BRIEF: A scary but formulaic horror film that has more to say than just "Boo!"
SYNOPSIS: An interracial couple visit the future in-laws with disastrous results.
JIM'S REVIEW: There is something decidedly off from the first moments of Get Out. An eerie feeling of dread and doom that follows its tale to its bloody ending. Critics have lauded comedian Jordan Peele's mash-up of various film genres, calling it a satirical political horror thriller And as the film's writer and director, he has successfully blended these elements most astutely. But, in his first feature, he still follows a safe formula that has been seen countless times in many other thrillers. It is not as original as reported, but it is highly entertaining.
￼Racism is at the core of this film and it is so subtly layered in the writing, direction, and performances, although script-wise, it loses its cleverness around the midway point and the twists and reveals were not so surprising to this reviewer.
Chris and Rose (Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams), an interracial couple decide to visit the Armitage family in the affluent countryside, a picture perfect community with no real diversity in sight, except for the few black servants who tend to their needs of their employers. Rose has not told her parents, Dean and Missy (Bradford Whitford, Catherine Keener) that her boyfriend is black, but assures Chris that they are an understanding liberally-minded family. He has no need to worry. Wrong, of course.
￼Paranoia quickly set in as Chris realizes that some of the town's African-American residents demonstrate odd behaviors and appearances. In the Armitage household, their slightly off-kilter son's behavior, Jeremy (Caleb Landry Jones), may also be misleading. The Stepford Wives / The Most Dangerous Game vibe is more than intentional as tensions begin to slowly build.
Get Out sends up that well-to-do white class privilege and their carefully hidden Trump values. Mr. Peale doesn't shy away from today's divisive climate and uses gallows humor to make his point. His sense of irony becomes grim as the horror elements begin to seep into the plot. His direction is skillfully handled as he creates the right atmosphere and rhythm for his film to jump-start the scares. There are plenty of well deserved jump-outta-your-seat moments to enjoy.
￼The actors underplay their roles which makes the film more disturbing and effective. Mr. Kaluuya is very good as Carl. He is instantly relatable and his nuanced performance is the major catalyst for the film's success. Ms. Williams has a nice counter balance as his girlfriend. Both Mr. Whitford and Ms. Keener, two always reliable actors, are subtly discomfiting as Rose's odd parents. But the standout performance is given by Betty Gabriel as Georgina, who simmers with restrained creepiness as the loyal maid. There is also fine support by Marcus Henderson and LiRel Howery, who contributes the needed comic relief to diffuse some of the tension.
￼The moviegoers in the theater were totally involved, extremely audible in their reactions to the action and gore. This demonstrative twenty-something crowd whooped and hollered their approval at every killing. They applauded numerous times at the bloody mayhem and laughed wholeheartedly at the comic relief sprinkled throughout the film. The film made the right impression with its target audience who all shared in the communal tension.
Get Out is a real crowd-pleaser, but the film is not breaking any new territory as many reviewers have suggested. It's just a well crafted suspenseful, if unoriginal, horror thriller which establishes Mr. Peele as a promising director. So get out, see this film, and have some fun!