Rating of
2.5/4
We crave mystery b/c there's none left.
Indyfreak - wrote on 11/02/19
Andrew Garfield shines as an obsessive conspiracy enthusiast who finds himself in the midst of a surreal and bizarre mystery. The movie clocks at two and a half hours and packs a lot of random scenarios. Ostensibly a neo-noir, UNDER THE SILVER LAKE also serves as a deconstruction of detective fiction steeped in symbology and occult themes. There is a parade of beautiful women throughout the movie so that's a nice surprise. Andrew Garfield tackles the role with a bit of a plucky everyman quality. But there is also a weary resignation seemingly beaten down by his failed Spider-Man franchise.
The first half of the movie does move at a slow pace. But once the central mystery is gradually uncovered, it becomes interesting enough. However, there's also a strange reliance on gross-out humor like a skunk spraying on Garfield or an overhead shot of a toilet full of feces. That's not funny that's disgusting.
