Download Stillwater; movie review

 

 

STILLWATER

Cert 15

139 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language

Is Stillwater really a thinly-veiled version of the Amanda Knox story?

Director Tom McCarthy told Vanity Fair that it was inspired by it and, in some ways, it has loud echoes but it also goes in rather random directions.

If we had watched Stillwater without knowing the arguments which have raged about the Knox/Meredith Kercher case, we would have thought it was ok with an overblown ending.

But if it is really meant to be a representation of the murder's fall-out, it is off-beam and tasteless.

McCarthy's film stars Matt Damon as Bill, the father of a young woman (Abigail Breslin) who has been in jail in Marseilles for four years after a murder conviction.

Bill is a quiet but plain-speaking Oklahoman oil industry worker who has had his own problems with the law through addiction

He is clean now and determined to support his daughter after she provides new evidence of her innocence.

Indeed, he extends a visit to France to take up the investigation himself when her lawyer turns down his pleas.

He inadvertently enlists the help of an attractive single mother (Camille Cottin) and becomes attached to her and her young daughter (Lilou Siauvaud).

This tangent not only dilutes the drama but is annoying in its lack of believability.

I am usually a fan of Damon but he is strangely off-key. That may be because of the very odd way in which his character is drawn.

Breslin is also wasted because her part is so strangely one-dimensional.

They certainly do not reflect the outspoken Amanda Knox or the fight of her father (and mother!) on her behalf.

Reasons to watch: Supposedly based on a true story

Reasons to avoid: Bizarre and unnecessary plot tangents

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 3.5/10

Did you know? Abigail Breslin obtained her driver’s license two weeks before shooting began, as one scene required her to drive a car.

The final word. Amanda Knox: "The way that Stillwater has chosen to represent my story in their story is that the Amanda Knox character has special knowledge and was at the very least indirectly involved in the killing of the Meredith Kercher character, which is a myth.” Vox

Share this post