THE BOX
Official Site:
Cast: Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella Rating: M for Mature Themes and Violence Tagline: All You Have To Do Is Push The Button. Theatrical Release: October 29, 2009 DVD Release: March 3, 2010 BOX OFFICE: Ranked #8 for it's first weekend, the film averaged a mediocre $3,401 at 149 sites with a gross of $506,692. 2nd weekend, and with a ticket sale decrease of $39%, the film grossed $308,036 at 152 sites, averaging $2,027. 3rd weekend, 74% decrease, 45 cinemas dropping it and the film has a $745 per site average with a gross of $79,677. The film's total Australian gross is $1,288,000 Special Features: * Audio Commentery * Featurette * Trailer * Music Video (Blu-Ray) * 2 additional Featurettes (Blu-Ray) |
Plot Synopsis, Review
Norma (Cameron Diaz) and Arthur Lewis (James Marsden), a suburban couple with a young child, receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger, delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button. But, pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human being somewhere in the world; someone they don't know. With just 24 hours to have the box in their possession, Norma and Arthur find themselves in the cross-hairs of a startling moral dilemma and must face the true nature of their humanity.
Mysterious. Although the film is a little slow to get into, the sequences are full of mysterious and intriguing factors that keep you watching. The mood was immediately set from the beginning, and we felt sympathetic and relatable feeling's for the characters, which will also make you enjoy the film more. When its finally revealed what the box is about, it is very immoral to me, and the end sequences are very powerful and atmospheric. There were some moments or predictability, but overall it managed to stay enjoyable right to the end.
The plot was very complex in a way, because there was vital information and clues (characters constantly with nose-bleeds) throughout, and unless you were listening to the dialogue, you wouldn't understand what was happening. Its definately a little psychological thriller, with consequences that make you think what you would do if you were put in the characters shoes.
The acting was good. "Cameron Diaz" played Norma, and was very interesting to watch. She was successful in making is believe and she gave the role a realistic sense to it, but I think the fact that her facial expressions were almost always negative, was the only downfall of the role. "James Marsden" played Arthur, and was believable in reeling us into the story, and we were empathising with him all the way.
Overall "The Box" is a good thriller that you need to listen to in order to understand, but if you are looking for a film to just pass time, I'd stay away. My rating is 3/5.
Mysterious. Although the film is a little slow to get into, the sequences are full of mysterious and intriguing factors that keep you watching. The mood was immediately set from the beginning, and we felt sympathetic and relatable feeling's for the characters, which will also make you enjoy the film more. When its finally revealed what the box is about, it is very immoral to me, and the end sequences are very powerful and atmospheric. There were some moments or predictability, but overall it managed to stay enjoyable right to the end.
The plot was very complex in a way, because there was vital information and clues (characters constantly with nose-bleeds) throughout, and unless you were listening to the dialogue, you wouldn't understand what was happening. Its definately a little psychological thriller, with consequences that make you think what you would do if you were put in the characters shoes.
The acting was good. "Cameron Diaz" played Norma, and was very interesting to watch. She was successful in making is believe and she gave the role a realistic sense to it, but I think the fact that her facial expressions were almost always negative, was the only downfall of the role. "James Marsden" played Arthur, and was believable in reeling us into the story, and we were empathising with him all the way.
Overall "The Box" is a good thriller that you need to listen to in order to understand, but if you are looking for a film to just pass time, I'd stay away. My rating is 3/5.