Richard Kelly made his name with 2001's Donnie Darko. After the success of that film Kelly took 6 years to deliver it's follow up Southland Tales. Darko was a serious examination of teenage angst and instability with little humor. Kelly tried mixing in comedic aspects with Southland but it's 2.5 hour runtime was far to long to hold up all the way through. Obviously he learned from some of his mistakes and with his 3rd full length picture The Box, Kelly has finally given the world the comedy classic we've been waiting for.
The Box is based on the Richard Matheson short story "Button, Button." While on the surface it would appear to be an odd source for comedy, Kelly's genius as a writer and director, along with the casts impeccable comedic skills, really make the movie work. The premise is simple, in 1976 Norma and Arther Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden) are presented with the opportunity of a lifetime by a mysterious stranger calling himself Arlington Steward (Frank Langella). Steward gives the couple a box with a button and tells them if they push said button they will receive one million dollars. The other consequence is that someone in the world, who they don't personally know, will die. If they do not push the button nothing will change for them and life will go on as is. The Lewis' are in financial trouble and could really use the money but are they prepared to deal with the consequences of their actions?
The true genius of The Box is that it's an amazing comedy that does not rely on jokes. Instead Kelly relies on his excellent cast and an array of visual gags to deliver the laughs. Diaz gives her best performance since There's Something About Mary. Her intentionally terrible southern accent is sure to put a grin on everyones faces every time he speaks. Marsden's performance isn't as showy but the complete lack of emotion he gives vocally and in his facial expressions can only be an homage to Buster Keaton. Langella serves as the straight man in the film and he portrays the role with excellence Even with all the insanity happening around him he never breaks from his steely, half-faced gaze. Kelly shows a great knack for comedic casting with his choices in supporting characters. The mix of familiar faces and fresh newcomers steal most every scene they are in. The blank and hilariously menacing stares they give throughout the film are eerily reminiscent of the actors from any Ed Wood film, they are simply priceless. Kelley's screenplay is fantastic as well. He throws so many implausible situations and circumstances into the mix that the writers of 30 Rock will inevitably be picking his brain for inspiration in the near future. Kelly also gets the biggest laugh of all with his amazing directorial choice in a pivotal party scene. Having multiple characters dance, what can only be described as a spastic jitterbug, to the Marshall Tucker Band's classic song "Can't You See" is the best visual gag in the flick.
Technically the blu-ray is serviceable but unspectacular. The color scheme is generally muted but when they do appear they are strong. Black levels are represented well and detail is perfectly fine but nothing spectacular. Audio wise, as with most comedies, The Box is a dialogue driven affair so there's not much room for the audio track to stretch it's muscle. When it does open up, usually for it's classic rock soundtrack, it does so with excellent clarity and presence.
The Box must be seen to believe. With the source material and Richard Kelly's track record I was expecting another sci-fi/thriller of varying success. Instead I got a laugh riot from start to finish. Rarely does a film come together this well on all fronts. The writing, direction and acting are all top-notch and hilarious and the entire 2 hours just flies by. The Box is a comedy classic for a new generation!
Movie 5/5
Blu-ray 4/5
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