On paper, Suburbicon has the potential to be really good, perhaps one of the best films of the year. I know, I know, George Clooney’s track record as a director has been hit or miss, but he’s proven to be a very capable filmmaker with the right material. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Good Night, and Good Luck are genuinely very good movies, and I liked Ides of March overall. So to hear he was directing Suburbicon wasn’t letting the air out of the sails for me.
Of course, the big selling part here is that this film is written by Joel and Ethan Coen. Like many others, I adore the Coen brothers and the writing of their films is one of my favorite things about them. However, there is something to be said about how their writing aligns with vision as directors. When you look at their writing efforts where they didn’t direct, the outcomes tend to be a bit more lesser than compared to their dual writing/directing efforts. Unbroken, Gambit and Crimewave are films that nobody would consider to be anywhere close to the “Coen canon” that we love. And if you read into the early reviews for Suburbicon, it may end up falling into that same boat. Perhaps that goes to show that only the Coen brothers are in tune with their writing and know how to direct it.
That said, on paper, Suburbicon still has potential. It is the Coen’s after all. Clooney has proven himself before in the director’s chair. Plus, the film stars Matt Damon, Julianne Moore and Oscar Isaac! I mean, surely in the hands of all that talent, it can’t be that bad? Right? Well…we’ll see.
Despite the reviews, I’m still kind of excited. What about you though? You going to see Suburbicon this weekend?
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Here’s what else is coming to theaters this weekend:
Jigsaw
All I See Is You
Thank You For Your Service
The Square (limited)
Wonderstruck (limited)
