“Serenity” is a weird movie. Its surface boasts the simplicity of a typical murder mystery thriller. Its deeper reveal is that of a bizarre, noir styled movie that, while the end product is pretty bad, is intriguing enough to keep you thinly hooked.
The movie stars the great Matthew McConaughey as Baker Dill – a fishing boat captain and loner who lives an enviable life on a small Caribbean island. From the opening sequence we see he’s a wildcard; forcibly taking the fishing line from a paying customer when he believes a renegade tuna that has been evading him is on the line. Baker Dill is hiding from something in his past. Who or what are not revealed, though we do get a series of flashbacks, visions, and dreams that reveal bits and pieces. A stranger named Karen (Anne Hathaway) arrives one day – offering Baker Dill 10 million dollars to bring her supposedly abusive husband out fishing – and feed him to the sharks.
“Serenity” is done in a noir style that’s unique in its setting; the small atoll of Plymouth Island, where everyone knows everyone, and everyone is involved in everyone else’s business, from the quintessential gruff bartender to the gossipy store clerk. Writer/Director Steven Knight, who helmed the brilliant film “Locke,” uses stylistic shots and purposeful costumes and interactions to move the story in an ambiguous way. We know something is off the entire time; from the strange appearance of a man in a suit (Jeremy Strong) who always just misses a meeting with Baker, to the real motives of Karen and her seemingly malevolent husband (Jason Clarke).
Matthew McConaughey is the show stealer, involved in every single scene, and is a perfect casting choice for the character of Baker Dill; a maverick who lives on a fishing boat and carries on a relationship with a townie (Diane Lane) that’s limited strictly to coitus. While the ultimate reveal of the movie is a bit silly, McConaughey never fails to deliver. One great scene depicts the obvious tension, as Baker and his First Mate Duke (Djimon Hounsou) discuss the potential murder and large payout. Baker is wavering on his refusal to commit the crime, but also subtly hoping that night’s storm doesn’t let up so he won’t have to make the decision himself.
The supporting cast does what it needs to so that the story has a good flow. Anne Hathaway is a capable actress, and plays the part of mysterious stranger quite well. I thoroughly enjoyed Jeremy Strong’s performance in “The Gentlemen” and here he is equally impressive though given much less to work with. Jason Clarke (“Pet Semetary”) is great as a low life. He has the chops to be the character of Frank Zariakas, obnoxious, wealthy, and potentially vile.
The demise of the film rests with its nonsensical twist ending. It won’t be revealed here, though it comes so far out of left field there’s no possible way one would expect it. I think filmmaker Steven Knight tried to do something so off the wall it went a bit too far. It’s the kind of thing that he probably wanted to be like “The Sixth Sense” in that you would rewatch the movie once the secret is revealed. Instead, it’s more of a head shaker – but props for thinking outside the box.
“Serenity” is a steamy movie that can work with your Valentine’s week. It has just enough to not be a failure, but ultimately isn’t very good.
