FilmSnobReviews

Title: The Voices
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Marjane Satrapi
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anne Kendrick
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

What It Is: Jerry (Reynolds) is a weird dude. That much is certain about this shipper from Milton Bathtub Company. All he wants is to fit in at the workplace. So when he is invited out for a night with the girls from accounting Fiona (Arterton), Lisa (Kendrick), and Alison (Ella Smith) Lisa is particuarly smitten with the odd Jerry, but Fiona (the object of his affection) couldn’t be less interested, until she needs something that is. When she’s stranded in the rainafter ditching him to hang with her girls she’s saved by Jerry and so begins his descent back into mania. From his disregarding of his anti-psychotics to the voices he hears from his sociopath cat (with a scottish accent voice by Reynolds) Mr.Whiskers and his loyal dog Bosco (also voiced by Reynolds) this is a black comedy you won’t soon forget.

What We Think: What an interesting little movie. Persepolis director Marjane Satarapi takes this really funny (and high) concept to it’s peak. Reynolds is quite funny. He shows range as a lot more then just the good looking guy trying to play against type in this comedy of the blackest variety. Our two leading ladies are also very endearing particularly Kendrick whose typical hyper active charm is on full display, and is a huge positive the film has going for it. The interesting setup never loses appeal and the dialogue is wry and intelligent enough. There’ a certain air of unpredictability in the film and that is so very impressive!

Our Grade: B, With one of the best closing credits of any film in 2015, or any other year for that manner this is one depraved trip down the rabbit hole of psychosis. A look at what can happen when a man who requires medication stops taking it. It says so much, in such a strange way it is almost sincere it’s send up of the “hearing voices” cliche. Look this one up on VOD or if a theater near you is somehow playing it, see it! It was really nice to see Reynolds in a complex and meaty role, putting all his skills together. This man is a more then capable actor, let’s let him be one Hollywood.