Parker Finn makes his debut
Filmmaker Parker Finn makes his debut as writer and director. “Smile” is based on Finn’s own short film, “Laura Hasn’t Slept” and the knack for horror are in there somewhere. It borrows quite liberally from other horror movies. “The Ring” and “It Follows” came to mind instantly. Also “Truth or Dare.” Weird filming angles conjured up visions of Ari Aster. I’m sure Parker Finn was influenced by those films and filmmakers, but the spirit of plagiarism can be a cantankerous fellow. Still, I liked some of the scares and shots. The atmosphere was unsettling. Finn is a rookie filmmaker with potential.
Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) is a therapist at an emergency psychiatric ward. Rose is one of those goodie-two-shoes doctors who actually care about their patients to a fault. She labors twelve hour shifts for marginal pay, and breaks bureaucratic hospital rules in favor of what’s best for the patient. Just once I’d like to see a protagonist doctor who’s only in it for the money. Rose has a traumatic encounter with an ominous new patient. A curse is passed. She believes it too quickly for plausibility. The horror ensues.
Sosie Bacon does an effective job as the lead. I was invested in her character, and the issues she was dealing with. Bacon delivers on an emotional front with respect to empathy and of course fear. As the plot progresses we’re left wondering if the character Rose Cotter is hallucinating all of her grisly encounters, and we have Bacon’s prowess to thank for that. Side note – if Sosie were playing Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, she’d win in a rout.
Decent performances
Overall, the cast is good. Kyle Gallner plays a cop and former boyfriend. Jessie T. Usher plays a jerk, and current boyfriend. Gillian Zinser plays the hot older sister. Caitlin Stasey plays the disturbed patient. Kal Penn plays a stoner. Well, no. He plays Rose’s boss. But it’s tough to separate the actor from his iconic character Kumar.
What makes “Smile” frown is the lack of sense to the story. Creepy images devoid of any rhyme or reason does not make for a good movie. Yes, the scenes of exaggerated and piercing grins is terrifying to behold. But its as if the demonic antagonists employs this tactic for no other reason than its creepy. It might as well have carried snakes or spiders just to freak people out. And the ending. Good lord.
“Smile” is fine. It’s a decent movie to watch this Halloween season. Understanding what it is. Some creepy imagery. Some WTF moments that make no sense. Nothing memorable. You should probably wait to watch it at home. Or wait until the inevitable “Smile 2” next year.
“Smile” is currently only available to watch in theaters.
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