Don't Let Go (2019)

It can be shocking to lose a loved one, especially when they’re a generation younger than you are.  Jack is close to his niece, Ashley, enough that she calls him when her own father, Garrett, forgets to pick her up at the movie theater.  In fact, he bought her the phone for that reason.

Garrett was never really in a good place, but he does seem to be trying.  He’s a loving father and husband, but he has psychological issues and was involved with drugs.  That doesn’t make for a great combination.  One day, Garrett, Ashley and Ashley’s mother are found dead in what is ostensibly a murder-suicide.

Two weeks after the funeral, the strange stuff happens.  Jack gets a call from Ashley.  At first, it would seem like a cruel joke.  Not only does it sound like her, but the caller ID shows Ashley and the conversation is similar to one that they actually had.  When he tries to call her back, the number is disconnected.  Jack soon realizes that he has a second chance to help Ashley and her family.

There is an obvious parallel to Frequency, which I had a chance to rewatch recently.  Both involve electronic communications equipment being used to bring back a dead loved one.  That’s where the similarity ends.  Here, Jack happens to be a detective, which gives him a greater ability to directly affect change.  He’s able to work the case directly.

The big problem is keeping it a secret from Ashley.  Why it’s necessary to keep Ashley in the dark, even for a little while, isn’t clear.  It seems like it would be easier on Jack and Ashley to let her in on it immediately.

There’s also the good guy who might be in on it.  I’ve always hated when the protagonist gives vital information to a trusted friend only to find out that they’re the bad guy, or are in the pocket of the bad guy.  Movies like this tend to keep you guessing who really did what, and with good reason.

The movie does have a few weak spots, but hits a lot more than it misses.  There are a few cliché moments, like the one seemingly innocent line proving crucial.  Yes, I know that there’s a name for it.  Sometimes it’s obvious and sometimes it makes for a great callback.  You have to use it wisely.

Overall, it does have a great feel to it.  The race against time isn’t overused, but you can feel it.  The story does seem a little more realistic than Frequency.  It seems contrived to use a ham radio to communicate.  Here, the cell phones are at least portable.

I’m not saying that it’s necessarily better or worse than other supernatural movies, or even police movies.  However, it is a little different.  I think those that saw Frequency and didn’t care for it might like Don’t Let Go.  It doesn’t bog us down with all of the unintended consequences of changing history.  The plot is fairly straightforward and easy to follow.  If you’re into this kind of movie, I’d recommend watching it.

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The Invisible Man (2020)

Cecilia doesn’t start the movie in a good place.  She’s escaping from her boyfriend’s house with the help of her sister, Emily.  The next we see of Cecelia, she’s living with her friend, James, and his daughter Sydney.  It’s not optimal.  Cecilia and Sydney have to share a bed.  She also can’t bring herself to leave the house.  Even getting to the curbside mailbox is daunting.  However, she’s not with abusive Adrian.

Her only relief comes when she gets news that Adrian is dead.  This bothers her for two reasons.  One, Adrian shouldn’t have her address.  Only James, Sydney and Emily should know.  Secondly, Adrian was a narcissist.  News that he committed suicide doesn’t make sense.

The estate is handled by Tom, who we learn is Adrian’s brother.  He won’t contest the will, but there are provisions.  Cecilia gets millions of dollars to be paid over the course of several years, provided she doesn’t commit a crime.  Easy enough.  Right?

Well, the camera pans several times over the next few scenes to let us know that someone might be there.  A stove burner that reignites is also a good clue.  Cecilia becomes paranoid that Adrian has either returned from the grave or found a way to fake his death.

It’s not far-fetched, but she does come across as just a little paranoid.  Adrian was an optics expert and could have designed an invisibility suit.  It’s hard to believe, mostly because she’s hysterical from fear at this point.

As the movie’s title would indicate, she’s not really imagining things.  As the saying goes, you’re not paranoid if they’re really out to get you.  Adrian may very well have faked his own death to get back at the woman who left him.

I’d say that, with the exception of the invisibility suit, the movie is played realistically.  Cecilia is a woman operating out of fear.  You might think that a smoke generator or some sort of mist might work to her advantage.  The best she gets is a can of paint and some coffee grounds.  I also realize that it would be difficult to pull off in the long term.  (Also, it’s not like most people have smoke generators lying around.)

The reactions of James, Sydney and Emily are believable.  If someone I knew were to come to me saying that an invisible person was following them around and trying to harass them, I’d absolutely be suspicious.

There aren’t a lot of twists here.  You know that James, Sydney and Emily are going to be likely targets for Adrian.  It’s just a question of how and when.  The movie focuses instead on Cecilia and her emotional state.

To have an invisible man is actually perfect.  It’s all about Cecilia’s emotional state.  It’s clear that Cecilia is abused.  She at least has the support of a sister and a friend.  Not everyone is that fortunate, though.  (Imagine having to go through what Cecilia did while still living with Adrian.)

The pacing was perfect.  The fear and tension was subdued, but not slow.  I never felt like I was bored.  While I kind of knew where the invisible man might strike, I was never sure of the exact details until they happened.  Even knowing that Adrian likely didn’t fake his death, it was also possible that he had someone else terrorize Cecilia.  (Granted, it’s not likely, but it is possible.) This was definitely one of the better movies I’ve seen lately.

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