Film Overview"Suburbicon" is a 2017 American black comedy film directed by George Clooney and composed by Clooney, Grant Heslov and the Coen Brothers. The film includes an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac. It's a mix of a satirical take on American suburban life in the late 1950s, a duration marked by social and cultural changes, with a thriller twist.
The PlotEmbed in the serene town of Suburbicon, the movie provides an idealistic picture of American society that quickly turns grim due to a home intrusion that leads to the death of Rose Lodge (Julianne Moore). Her enduring family members include her husband Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon), her boy Nicky (Noah Jupe), and her twin sister, Margaret (also played by Moore). The tragedy sets the phase for the unfolding trouble.
In an unanticipated twist, it is revealed that Gardner and Margaret conspired to murder Rose to collect insurance cash and live gladly together. While they want to portray themselves as the perfect rural household, they end up being involved in a cycle of crime and violence exposing the deceptively serene facade of the town.
Simultaneously, an African American family, the Mayers, move into the area triggering racial stress. The white occupants of Suburbicon, who apparently valued peace and order, now resort to threatening and pestering the Mayers, exposing their deep-seated racial bias.
Parallel NarrativesThe film juxtaposes the escalating violence in the Lodge household with the increasing racial hatred faced by the Mayers. Nicky forms a special bond with the Mayer's kid, showing a contrast between their innocent relationship and the bigotry of the adults around them.
Meanwhile, a suspicious insurance coverage claim detective, Bud Cooper (Oscar Isaac), is hot on Gardner's tail. His examination and confrontation with the couple result in another round of violent interactions, throwing the family's life into more turmoil.
EndingSuburbicon's climax is a disorderly and violent spiral out of control with Gardner's plans unwinding. The movie ends with Gardner passing away due to a lethal dosage of poison Margaret had actually planned for Nicky, marking an ironic twist. It concludes with an early morning scene, showing a contrast in between the withstanding turmoil of the Lodge family and Mayers silently continuing with their lives, a powerful commentary on bigotry and hypocrisy.
Important ReceptionWhile the movie had a strong underlying socio-political message, it received mixed reviews from critics. Some applauded its assessment of racial tensions and review of American suburban life, while others found the blend of funny and thriller aspects a disjointed narrative trop. The efficiencies, especially Matt Damon and Julianne Moore's, were nevertheless mostly praised.
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