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PLOT: A younger boy (Martell) befriends an older, reclusive billionaire (Sutherland) and finds himself in a position to talk with him from the grave by way of the iPhone that was buried with him upon his passing.
REVIEW: Anytime the phrases “Stephen King Adaptation” seem, I can’t assist however be intrigued. Mr. Harrigan’s Telephone additionally comes with the caveat of getting great performances and a gripping story. Which shouldn’t come as a shock as a result of King’s work all the time attracts top-tier expertise. Even nonetheless, it’s exhausting to not be charmed by this coming-of-age story with a supernatural twist. Particularly when it’s carried out so properly.
Jaeden Martell does a incredible job as Craig, who’s a decidedly extra difficult individual than the white knight he performed as Invoice Denbrough in It. But it surely’s exhausting to not evaluate the 2 characters, particularly with their shared timidity. However what makes Craig so attention-grabbing are his areas of gray. He’s making an attempt to do his finest and doing so can typically put him in unlucky conditions. These vulnerabilities make it so his friendship with an outdated man isn’t out of the peculiar. We perceive this friendship proper from the onset and perceive why it’s so essential to each characters. By the point the supernatural stuff started, I used to be already so invested within the characters, and a lot of that has to do with Craig and Mr. Harrigan.
Donald Sutherland is nice as all the time. His titular Mr. Harrigan is de facto tender spoken, whereas nonetheless remaining very highly effective. Sutherland’s gravitas is a sight to behold, particularly seeing him play off of Martell. They’ve an exquisite on-screen friendship that basically makes the film work. Had that connection not been so robust, I’ve a tough time seeing the film work in any respect. I additionally actually appreciated Cyrus Arnold as Craig’s bully, Kenny Yankovich. He does a very good job of constructing Kenny a bit greater than only a one-note villain. Although don’t get me mistaken, he’s nonetheless extraordinarily straightforward to dislike and matches the “bully” label properly.
I’ve loved John Lee Hancock’s work for a few years, and he pulls off a suspenseful coming-of-age story. It’s commendable how grounded the movie stays regardless of the various supernatural components. And it’s due to how masterful Hancock is with the world he’s constructing. Nothing is outright fantastical, but there’s nonetheless little question that there’s one thing out of the peculiar happening. Mr. Harrigan’s Telephone manages to construct a great deal of suspense and has some nice payoffs.
My solely actual criticism is that it was typically tough to put the place the story was, time-wise. As a result of they transfer very quick by a substantial interval, with “blink and also you’ll miss it” signifiers like Craig’s hair being totally different, or dialogue mentioning him being a freshman, senior, and so forth. Whereas I do recognize that to some extent, as a result of typically motion pictures handhold a bit an excessive amount of, it will have benefited from a bit extra clarification, provided that they transfer by time so rapidly. Normally, I’m not an enormous fan of narration in a movie, as it may be manner too expository, however I actually loved it right here because of the apparent connection of Craig studying to Mr. Harrigan. Martell is ready to present a lot emotion but in addition provides an air of secrecy. His voiceover is an enormous motive the suspense works so properly.
I had a fully incredible time with Mr. Harrigan’s Telephone and I actually hope that others are simply as enamored. The performances are prime notch and the story asks some attention-grabbing questions on morality. Whereas coming from the writing of King is a large benefit, everybody right here elevates the fabric.
Mr. Harrigan’s Telephone is STREAMING ON NETFLIX ON OCTOBER fifth, 2022.
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