The Unforgivable

It has potential, a dense atmosphere, a smart script at least in the first half, and a good job with the narration of the plot. Unfortunately, it's dragged down to average by the not-quite-grasped second half and especially by the fatally inadequate work with the supporting characters, played by otherwise excellent actors (Bernthal, D’Onofrio, Davis), who don't have much to do because they didn't write very good/interesting/important roles for them. The Unforgivable is a film about one person: Sandra Bullock, who is fantastic. (15.12.2021)

All the time I was wondering if this solid story with such well-developed main and secondary characters was based on a book, but it’s actually based on a TV series. It’s one of best Netflix movies (and not only of this year). It stands on an interesting story, but also on the utterly brilliant performance of Sandra Bullock. I guess I will have to watch System Crasher some day, because Nora Fingscheidt is a surprisingly good director. (12.12.2021)

Even my least favorite genre can surprise once every five years and this is definitely one of those exceptions. Along with Cherry, the best, most intense drama of the year. It's a bit of drama with crime elements, which is fine, it's not some socially boring shit for introverts and pensioners, but a properly uncomfortable and gritty film from a harsh setting and a harsh reality, with Sandra Bullock reaching for an Oscar and giving one of the best female performances of the last couple of years. (I believed her all the way.) It’s the story of a woman who is released from prison after 20 years for one of the worst crimes, shooting a police officer. A harsh return to a reality that definitely does not treat such people nicely and the pain is just about everywhere (housing, work, wherever). Great atmosphere, excellent soundtrack, amazing actors (apart from Sandra, Jon Bernthal, Vincent D'Onofrio and Viola Davis are also brilliant), with tense and stifling scenes that instantly give you goosebumps, and the emotions escalate so that at the end tears just flow whether you want them or not, and most of there are all a load of pretty decent twists and turns, with the final one being one of the best in a long time. One of those movies where after it's over I think to myself, this was damn good and I'd love to see it again. Netflix hit one of the genre highlights of the year.Story 5/5, Action 2/5, Humor 2/5, Violence 1/5, Fun 5/5 Music 5/5, Visuals 4/5, Atmosphere 5/5, Suspense 4/5, Emotion 5/5, Actors 5/5. 9/10. (14.12.2021)

This is no minimalist, award-winning art-house of the kind that win awards with a similar setting and themes (e.g. Manchester by the Sea), but it is a powerful and, thanks to that, touching crowd-pleaser. Sandra again goes full throttle. Who would have said that about her in 1994... (13.12.2021)