The Box: Thinking Outside The Box!

Title: The Box (PG-13)

Year: 2009

One thing nobody can say about this movie is it is unoriginal. The story is very interesting, confusing and could well become an inspiration for other films. Nobody had ever thought about combining NSA, NASA and supernatural stuff like Richard Kelly does here. Of course if you know who Richard is, you wouldn't be surprised as he is the director of the amazing cult-classic 'Donnie Darko'. Like that movie, this is also a type of movie which you will either really like or hate. This is a slow movie which reveals itself in layers and you have to be patient and forgiving enough to enjoy it. Cameron Diaz seems to be making a conscious effort to do movies which give her enough chance to show her acting skills. After all those films which required nothing more than her charm and smile, she has done two good dramas; My Sister's Keeper and The Box. Those who like movies which take their sweet time to come around to the point will like this movie.

In the year 1976 in Virginia, a doorbell rings in the early morning when the Lewis' are asleep. By the time Norma Lewis (Cameron Diaz) gets up to meet the visitor, there is nobody except a package left on the front porch. Norma is a high school teacher, Arthur Lewis (James Marsden) is an optical specialist at NASA's Langley Research Center and they have one child, Walter (Sam Oz Stone). The family gather around the package during breakfast and open it. It contains a weird box with a red button, and to open the box they need a key. There is an accompanying letter saying that a certain 'Mr. Steward' (Frank Langella) will meet them that evening at 5:00 PM in their home to explain about the package. Dressed in an elegant suit and sounding like a perfect gentleman, the mysterious Arlington Steward arrives at the designated time. Of course the problem is he looks like a cousin to Harvey Dent (Two Face in 'The Dark Knight' whose one side of the face is completely burned away) and there are a few butterflies in the stomach by just seeing him. Steward hands over the key to the box and gives a bizarre explanation telling Norma that he will give them $1 million in cash if she or her husband push the button by 5:00 PM the next day.

Arlington Steward: Maybe Two Face's Cousin!

The weird thing is he tells her that a person who their family doesn't know will die if they push the button, and warns them against telling about this to anybody. He also gives a gift of $100 whether they push the button or not, as a show of good faith. Norma and Arthur are skeptical, believing the whole thing is a scam and after a few moments of moral dilemma Norma pushes the button. The next evening Steward delivers them a $1 million in cash, as promised. Now, they are afraid and try to give him the money back, but he assures them the deed is already done and he won't accept it back. Then there are people following Arthur and Norma's every move, these people have nosebleeds and do weird things. What exactly is going on and will the consequences be too high to pay for the Lewis'?

The setting of the movie is well done and authentic and the acting is good; Frank Langella (nominated for Oscar in 'Frost/Nixon') and Cameron Diaz, especially give good performances. Frank Langella is like the good devil; he gives you choices, hard choices among which you will have to choose and whatever you choose, you will bear a huge burden. Cameron Diaz doesn't smile much as her character needs to be afraid and emotional. James Marsden has a come a long way from his 27 Dresses, Enchanted and X-Men days, he is also pretty believable in his role. The eventual explanation of the nosebleeds and Steward's history and connection with the supernatural is excellent. There is no apparent weak link, except for the very weird special effects. Try 'The Box', you may like it.

My Rating: ***1/2 out of *****