This #MeToo thriller is like Kubrick in paradise.
Zoe Kravitz’ directorial debut of “Blink Twice” is a colorful and bizarre thriller that seems like something Stanley Kubrick would have loved. I never saw the trailer, just the poster, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I did expect a polaroid camera, and the big list of names, led by Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum. But everything else I had to see for myself.
I can’t spoil the secrets for you, but I can say that whatever happens, the movie is worthy of the #MeToo era. Even Carey Mulligan’s character in “Promising Young Woman” would have been repulsed by the twists and delighted by the outcome.
The movie begins with tech billionaire Slater King (Tatum) apologizing for his recent abusive behavior, and trying to make things right by stepping down as CEO. Then, he meets the young cocktail waitress Frida (Ackie) at an event, and invites her and her best friend Jess (Ali Shawkat) to his private island.
Are sparks going to fly between the billionaire and the waitress? This ain’t “It Could Happen to You” where Nicolas Cage as a cop wins the lottery and agrees to give the waitress Bridget Fonda a $2 million tip. Besides you can sense that King and Frida would be enemies the minute the film begins.
There are also a cavalcade of characters on the island. There’s King’s assistant Stacy (Gene Davis), his therapist (Kyle MacLachlan), his business partners: Cody (Simon Rex), Vic (Christian Slater), Tom (Haley Joel Osment), and Lucas (Levon Hawke, son of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman), and three female guests: Sarah (Adrina Ajorna), Heather (Trew Mullen), and Camilla (Liz Caribel).
Minus their cellphones, they all have fun on the island with exquisite meals, red gift bags, drugs, soul and funk music, and all the luxuries an expensive vacation should have. Although, some of the housekeepers and employees glare at the Frida and Jess like they’re both supposed to be sacrifices or something. Jess wants to leave soon, but Frida feels like she finally belongs to a specific group of people. But I think given her current question on what is real, she should have listened to her friend.
Yes, I did mean to use the word “colorful” in my opening paragraph. It’s not just because of the characters the movie introduces us to, but also for the film’s eclectic taste in color palettes, all beautifully photographed by Adam Newport-Berra (“Euphoria,” “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”). There are red or yellow buildings, green drinks, blue facemarks, and white outfits. And I’ve seen an Instagram page that loves sharing the different colors used in a specific movie scene. I bet that page would love to share “Blink Twice,” as well.
In her first movie role since playing Whitney Houston in “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Ackie has the kind of magnetism that makes her an entertaining heroine trying grasp with the reality she is facing on the island. Tatum (who also produces the film) looks more appealing as a villain with his shaved head and beard than his writing can give him credit for. And entertaining supporting work comes from the likes of Shawkat, Davis, and Arjona, who all ease into their characters in riveting ways.
“Blink Twice” is a fresh directorial debut for Kravitz, who has a successful acting career, whether they’re blockbusters or independent features (and I would suggest you check back at “Gemini”). If “Get Out” was set on an island and set a distinction between men and women instead of race, this would be that wickedly entertaining movie. And besides, I think this may have something to do with memory. I can’t say more. See this movie.
