An interesting movie mix for you this week on BEHIND THE LENS thanks to director DUNCAN SKILES and his new film NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, and director LORCAN FINNEGAN and his latest THE SURFER. As different as night and day, both films showcase storytelling creativity and some incredible – and indelible – performances, most notably from Nic Cage in THE SURFER.
First up, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH.
Simon, a young man grappling with mental illness, becomes convinced that he has witnessed an abduction of a young woman. When he reports it to the police and they refuse to believe him, he reluctantly seeks the help of his neighbor Ed (Morgan), a jaded, retired security guard with his own troubled past. As the unlikely duo delves deeper into the mystery, their pursuit of the truth forces them to confront not only the dark secrets surrounding the disappearance but also the unspoken wounds that haunt them both.
Directed by DUNCAN SKILES, who you may know best for directing THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH rises and falls on the compelling mystery plot and the performances by Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Ed and Jack Quaid as Simon. As you will hear from Duncan in this pre-recorded exclusive interview, he was drawn to writer Sean Farley’s script for its unique and heartwarming dynamic between Ed and Simon. Duncan found it sweet, bittersweet, and not overly sentimental. The script had a mix of elements – thrills, mystery, and comedy – which appealed to him, and which he brings to life with a naturalistic look and feel thanks to cinematographer Luke McCoubrey. After THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER, Duncan was looking for something lighter, and this script was an easy read where he found himself rooting for the characters and wanting to spend time with them. The script’s ability to create characters he cared about was the key factor that made him want to direct “Neighborhood Watch”.
The film took over a year to cast, was shot in 18 days on a tight budget, and showcased Birmingham, Alabama’s suburban locations, which played into the naturalism of the story. The editing process was detailed and lengthy, focusing on maintaining tension and humor. Jojo Draven’s score, described as melodic and synthetic, enhanced the film’s emotional depth. But what soars in NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH is the performances of Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jack Quaid. Believable and resonant, they make you care about Ed and Simon. You quickly become invested in these characters, particularly Simon, as he deals with his mental illness. As if the mystery story isn’t enough, this is where Jack Quaid rivets you to the screen. His nuance and intensity when he has “attacks” will have you holding your breath waiting to see if the attack will pass or intensify. And when this happens, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Ed is our eyes and ears, and heart. Building on that are some incredible visuals by cinematographer McCoubrey that try to give a visual image to what Simon is emotionally and mentally experiencing. Just wonderful work on all counts. A big contrast to Duncan’s prior darker works, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH marks a shift in his storytelling as he very successfully balances suspense with heartwarming themes.
Duncan breaks it all down for us from script to screen.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH is now streaming on digital platforms.
Then we switch gears and hit the western coast of Australia with the sun and the surf with director LORCAN FINNEGAN and THE SURFER with a total mind fuck, batshit brilliant performance by Nic Cage. Needless to say, I love this movie!
A psychological thriller directed by Lorcan Finnegan, a man identified as “The Surfer” – played by Cage – returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son, played by Finn Little of “Yellowstone” fame. But his desire to hit the waves is thwarted by a group of locals led by Scally – maniacally played by Julian McMahon – whose mantra is “don’t live here, don’t surf here.” Humiliated and angry, “The Surfer” is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising in concert with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him to his breaking point.
Cage is brilliant. No one but him could pull off the role of “The Surfer”. The film is an unforgettable, visceral and visual performance. A psychological thriller that emphasizes color, lighting, and incredible camera work to create a nostalgic, hypnotic atmosphere, contrasting wide-open seascapes with close-ups to reflect the protagonist’s mental state is gobsmackingly lush and gorgeous, particularly the super saturation of color and the sun which reflects off pristene blue waters and white on white sand.
As you’ll hear Lorcan discuss, initially a few pages, the script evolved into a tale of a man’s emotional journey, stripped of his material possessions and ultimately his sanity. The film’s score enhances the dreamy, nostalgic feel. Finnegan collaborated closely with cinematographer Radek Ladczuk, whose work you may know from “The Babadook”, editor Tony Cranston, and sound designer Aza Hand to achieve the film’s unique visual and auditory experience.
Interesting is that the story is told from a subjective point of view, allowing the audience to experience the protagonist’s mental descent alongside him. From a directorial standpoint, Lorcan was also attracted to the challenge of telling a story that takes place over just a few days in a single location, while creating an intense, trippy experience that mirrors the character’s internal psychological state. The opportunity to make a film in Australia and continue the tradition of Australian New Wave cinema was an additional motivating factor for him.
Take a listen as Lorcan breaks down THE SURFER from Cage to story to casting to cinematography to editing to sound to score, and even the appearance of native snakes and a kookabura.
THE SURFER is now in theatres.
