Opposite Movie Review: God’s attraction or grant’s attraction? This is the choice faced by two young Church of Mormon missionaries who have a long list of visits and elders to impress, on a very cold, rainy day that is quickly turning to evening.
So it is that Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) are captivated by Mr. Reed’s (Hugh Grant) dimly lit, oddly furnished parlor. The first thing Reed tells them is that his house has “metal” on the walls and ceiling. This should give the girls pause, but Reed provides that with Grant’s familiar twinkly demeanor and charming smile, it’s easy to dismiss one of the old man’s quirks.
However, very quickly, it becomes clear that much could be wrong about Reid, the so-called Mrs. Reid – “Baking Blueberry Pie” – who never appears. But this film from frequent collaborators and writer-directors Scott Beck and Brian Woods isn’t quite that straightforward. Unfortunately, as it were, it is not as complicated as it promises to be.
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For, what follows is Reed, who discusses theology, the dissection of religion, its many iterations, and why and how we believe, and how our faith can pass the test of unbelief. The two missionaries, in their late teens or early 20s, are aware of being outsiders in a culture where “religion is no longer a part,” aware that their particular faith may be increasingly at odds with many “modern beliefs,” and aware of being out-talked— If not outsmarted – by Reid who clearly knows more than they do and plays on their insecurities.
Reid draws on board games such as Monopoly and its many versions of popular hits and their many “inspirations”, and debates polygamy, making Paxton and Barnes even more uncomfortable.
When they finally decide that they’ve played Reed’s games, which include an interior room that’s made to look like a church, and his bookcase filled with liturgical literature and objects, he throws them a question that is the film’s high point. “Do you believe when you see that you will find my wife behind this door?” He asks – his point is that the whole story of God is based on a premise as “weak”.
However, after this, as Reid takes his two trapped engines deeper and deeper into his lair, the film’s wrestling with belief becomes more and more a potent plot device in the service of predictable horrors.
Because Grant is so believable as a man who is actually a conceit that could be more harmful than it all, and one who is perhaps little more than a fan audience, you’re willing to go along.
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Because Ex is so good as a docile listener who has never really questioned authority, and who now has the ground slipping from under his feet when asked to do so, you’re inclined to humor the story. Because Thatcher’s attractive beauty is so distracting that it is not difficult to think about the dangers that old men pose to young girls, you have to constantly pay attention to yourself.
But because the Heretic itself does not have enough faith to finally fulfill its initial promise, it all comes back to that question: the attraction of God, or the attraction of grant?
Heretic Film Directors: Scott Beck, Byron Woods
Heretic Trick Cast: Hugh Grant, Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher
Opposite Movie Rating: 3 stars
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