Joel Kinnaman struggles in “The Silent Hour”: Engaging premise, underwhelming execution
A promising start with a perplexing premise
Joel Kinnaman returns to the screen in “The Silent Hour”, a film that promises an intriguing plot but ultimately falls short in delivering a truly captivating experience. Directed by Brad Anderson and written by Dan Hall, the movie casts Kinnaman as Detective Frank Shaw, a character grappling with rapid-onset hearing loss amidst a perilous situation. What initially appears as a gripping thriller gradually loses momentum, as the filmmakers fail to fully explore the potential of the protagonist’s distressing predicament.
Character background: The life of Detective Frank Shaw
Shaw, portrayed by Kinnaman, is a divorced father seeking solace in his modern apartment away from Boston’s bustling noise. His daily routine includes a peaceful blend of fitness, jazz music, and reflections on his balcony with a cup of morning coffee. As he anticipates giving his daughter Sami, played by Katrina Lupi, a guitar for her birthday, Shaw’s world is abruptly turned upside down.
While on a routine investigation with his financially troubled partner, Detective Doug Slater (Mark Strong), Shaw is led on a frantic chase through shipping containers, colliding with an oncoming vehicle. The accident leaves him with a severe head wound and a drastic loss of hearing.
Struggles with a new reality
Nearly a year after the life-altering incident, Shaw is plagued by anxieties about returning to the workforce. His condition has worsened, and his hearing aids are more of a hindrance than a help. Despite these challenges, Slater convinces Shaw to assist in a case involving Ava (Sandra Mae Frank), a deaf former junkie who witnessed and recorded a murder outside her condemned apartment building.
As ruthless gang leader Mason (Mekhi Phifer) and his thugs close in to eliminate loose ends, Shaw rescues Ava, and the two find themselves trapped together. They attempt to outwit their pursuers using Shaw’s knowledge of the criminal underbelly and Ava’s familiarity with the building’s quirks.
Missed opportunities and predictable turns
The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Shaw and Ava has moments of ingenuity, such as their secret knock using a dollar bill under the door. However, their deafness is more often a liability than an asset, leading to several frustrating situations, like phoning for help on an elevator landline or being apprehended when they cannot hear approaching threats.
Throughout the film, Shaw and Ava navigate predictable escape routes, from fire escapes to abandoned lofts and Hitchcockian stairwells. A modicum of tension is present in a particular elevator shaft sequence, but the suspense dwindles as the heroes face uninspired obstacles.
In-depth character motivation
“The Silent Hour” does provide some depth in its characters’ motivations. Shaw is driven by a blend of personal and professional aspirations, aiming to fulfill his career obligations while finding joy in his daughter’s musical achievements. Ava, on the other hand, battles to stay off drugs and cope with grief and depression. Kinnaman and Frank’s performances elevate the material, adding nuances to their otherwise bland roles.
Mason, the gang leader, exhibits a sacrificial side, driven by the need to secure funds for his ailing daughter’s medical care. His henchman Angel (Michael Eklund) adds a touch of levity to the narrative, particularly in scenes where he is drugged by a medic played by Djinda Kane. These elements suggest potential spinoffs for the supporting characters.
Technical and narrative execution
The film’s first act effectively uses the soundtrack to convey Shaw’s struggles, emulating tinnitus and malfunctioning hearing aids. However, the movie seldom revisits Shaw and Ava’s compromised perspectives, missing an opportunity to enhance the narrative’s immersive quality. Director Brad Anderson’s practical execution of action scenes fails to build tension, resulting in a stale ambiance that betrays the film’s promising premise.
Ultimately, “The Silent Hour” suffers from a lack of innovative direction and seamless integration of its intriguing concepts into engaging and thrilling sequences. While Kinnaman and Frank breathe life into their characters, the overall experience remains unsatisfactory.
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