Kidman stars as detective in revenge thriller
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Caribbean Life, Jan. 11–17, 2019 39
By Kam Williams
Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman)
is a veteran LAPD detective
whose partner, Chris (Sebastian
Stan), died when his
cover was blown during an
undercover operation gone
bad. Courtesy of flashbacks,
we learn that he was murdered
by Silas (Toby Kebbell),
the leader of the gang of bank
robbers the two had infiltrated.
At the time, Erin and Chris
were also lovers, and she was
pregnant with his baby. Fast
forward 16 years and we find
the single-mom doing a miserable
job of raising their
rebellious daughter, Shelby
(Jade Pettyjohn), who is presently
under the spell of a
surly slacker (Beau Knapp)
already in his twenties.
The problem is that ghostlike
Erin ostensibly never
recovered from the loss of
Chris. Haggard, pale and
rudderless, she’s ostensibly
still haunted by the fact that
Silas and his henchmen vanished
with the millions stolen
in the heist and were never
apprehended.
A crack in the long-dormant
case arrives when some
incriminating evidence at a
crime scene indicates that
the gang has finally resurfaced.
The clues revitalize
traumatized Erin who goes
rogue on an obsessed, onewoman
quest to track down
Silas.
Thus unfolds “Destroyer,” a
riveting, relentless, revengefueled
thriller directed by
Karyn Kusama (Aeon Flux).
Nicole Kidman deservedly
landed a Golden Globe nomination
for her unforgettable
performance as the picture’s
hard-boiled heroine. She’s
virtually rendered unrecognizable
by a very demanding
role as a self-abusing, shell
of a human-turned-wanton
vigilante.
Besides Kidman brilliantly
playing against type, this
nihilistic neo noir features a
capable cast deftly executing
a convoluted, cat-and-mouse
screenplay in convincing
fashion. A must-see tale of
female empowerment representing
the best work yet by
director Kusama.
“Destroyer”
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated R for violence,
sexuality, drug use and
pervasive profanity
Running time: 123
minutes
Production Companies:
30 West / Automatik
Entertainment
Studio: Annapurna
Pictures
Nicole Kidman in “Destroyer” (2018). www.imdb.com
Independent & Foreign Films
Anthem of a Teenage
Prophet (Unrated) Coming
of-age drama about
the fallout visited upon
a clairvoyant teen (Cameron
Monaghan) whose
premonition about the
death of his best friend (Alex MacNicoll)
becomes a reality. With Juliette Lewis,
Peyton List and Grayson Gabriel.
Ashes in the Snow (Unrated) World
War II saga, set in Siberia in 1941,
revolving around a 16-year-old, aspiring
artist (Bel Powley) whose secret
drawings document her family’s ordeal
in a Soviet labor camp. Cast includes
Sophie Cookson, Peter Franzen and
James Cosmo.
The Aspern Papers (R for some nudity
and sexuality) Adaptation of Henry
James’ novella of the same name, set in
Venice in 1885, about a young writer’s
(Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) attempt to read
the collection of romantic letters sent
decades earlier by a famous poet (Jon
Kortajarena) to his mistress (Vanessa
Redgrave). With Joely Richardson,
Lois Robbins and Morgane Polanski
(Roman’s daughter).
Perfect Strangers (Unrated) Spanish
language remake of the 2016 Italian
comedy about seven friends who
agree to read aloud all their incoming
text messages during a revealing
dinner party. Co-starring Cecilia Suárez,
Kam’s Kapsules
By Kam Williams
Bruno Bichir, Mariana Treviño,
Manuel García Rulfo, Miguel Rodarte,
Franky Martin, Ana Claudia Talancón
and Camila Valero. (In Spanish with
subtitles.)
Sgt. Will Gardner (Unrated) Max
Martini wrote, directed and stars in
this poignant portrait of an Iraq War vet
suffering from PTSD and a traumatic
brain injury who attempts to pick up
the pieces of his broken life during a
cross-country motorcycle trip. Featuring
Gary Sinise, Omari Hardwick, Dermot
Mulroney and Robert Patrick.
Tall Tales (PG for mature themes)
Animated comedy about a kindhearted
cricket (Justin Long) framed for the
kidnapping of the queen bee (Kate
Mara) by her treacherous cousin (Anne
Tilloy). Voice cast includes Kev Adams
and Haley Chey Lynch.
The Untold Story (Unrated) Against
the odds dramedy revolving around an
aging Hollywood icon (Barry Van Dyke)
inspired to mount a comeback by his
new next-door neighbor (Nia Peeples).
Supporting cast includes Jordan Ladd,
Miko Hughes and Joe Lando.
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