Knowing (2009) Movie Review
Knowing (2008) Movie, Sci-Fi Movie News, Sci-Fi Reviews — By Nix on March 20, 2009
You don’t get more hit-and-miss than Nicolas Cage. The prolific actor seems to be in three or four movies a year, and it’s usually a good year if one of his films turns out to be a moderate hit. Nicolas Cage movies without the words “National” or “Treasure” in the title just don’t seem to do very well at the box office nowadays. Cage’s latest, the Alex Proyas-directed “Knowing” doesn’t seem to have the makings of a big hit, and early indicators (including a general lack of buzz in the fanboy community) are that it will turn out like Cage’s last sci-fi themed effort, the Philip K. Dick inspired “Next”. I kind of enjoyed “Next” myself, but then again, I might have been the only one.
In “Knowing”, Cage plays John Koestler, a widowed MIT professor still pining for his wife who died in a fire recently. Koestler has a son, Caleb (Chandler Canterbury), a curious boy with a slight hearing impairment who is also not dealing very well with his mother’s passing. The Koestlers’ isolated life (their only connections to the outside world that exists beyond their grief are John’s sister Grace (Nadia Townsend) and a co-worker at MIT) gets complicated when, during the unearthing of a time capsule at Caleb’s school, the young boy comes into possession of a letter containing what seems to be a series of random numbers written by a curious girl name Lucinda (Lara Robinson) at the same school 50 years earlier. During one of his drunken nights, the grief-stricken John takes an interest in Caleb’s time capsule find, and quickly realizes that the numbers are not random at all and have in fact been foretelling disasters for the last 50 years.
For John, the letter’s prophecies convince him that life and death are not as random as he originally thought. Not only has the letter foretold every disaster that has happened in the 50 years since it was written, but it also foretold the events that led to the death of John’s wife. Chance and fate and “shit happens”, it appears, are not nearly as fickle as John had come to believe. With the help of Lucinda’s daughter, single mother Diana (Rose Byrne), John attempts to discover the meaning of Lucinda’s final prediction, which seems to have ended prematurely. And what exactly do these prophecies have to do with the appearances of beach-blond strangers in black trenchcoats? And why do these mysterious figures seem to be whispering to Caleb as they once did to poor Lucinda, who was believed to have gone mad?
Surprisingly, for a movie being heavily sold as a CGI-heavy disaster film, much of “Knowing” seems content to be a character-driven suspense-thriller about a father and son dealing with the aftermath of a terrible lost. But don’t let that fool you; this is very much a big-budget Hollywood film, and it can do CGI disasters pretty well, too. The trailers have already given away one crucial sequence in the movie which occurs at the end, but before that, there are two major set pieces, one involving a plane crash and the other in a New York subway. The plane crash is brutal and amazing, shot in a style that reminds you Alex Proyas is a visual filmmaker of notable skill when he’s not allowing battling robots to run amok onscreen. “Knowing” may be rated PG-13, but I would imagine the plane crash might have pushed the boundaries of that rating mightily.
One thing that does bode poorly for “Knowing” is that audiences may be expecting more “Armageddon”-esque disaster sequences from the film, and who can blame them, as the trailers certainly promises that kind of devastation. Alas, it is not that kind of film. The plane crash and the subway sequence really accounts for all the disasters that happens in the film until the climax. Instead, Proyas has managed to craft a nice suspense-thriller with well-drawn characters and heavy elements of sci-fi (especially at the end). Although he’s never tackled the genre before, Proyas should definitely consider doing a horror movie at least once in his career. There are a couple of incredibly intense, spooky sequences in “Knowing” that took me by surprise.
The script by Proyas and his co-writers spend enough quality time with the Koestlers that we come to care about father and son as events progress out of control and ominous fate threatens to swallow them. The appearance of the Whisper People further adds mystery to the film, and we’re never really sure what is going on. The Big Reveal that explains everything will either have you chuckling or gazing in wonderment at the screen, or a mixture of both. To be honest, I’m still not sure what to think of the Big Reveal. I still can’t decide if it’s a major cop-out or a pretty slick twist that saves the day. You’ll have to decide for yourself when you see it.
“Knowing” is certainly more character-oriented than a lot of its peers, and a lot of that credit goes to Cage, who is excellent in the lead. In fact, this might be one of Cage’s better acting works in a long while. I do have issues with Rose Byrne’s character, though, specifically the lack of depth. The script seems to have only two gears for Byrne’s Diana – utterly confused and scared, and utterly frantic and scared. The role as written could have been played by anyone, and it’s a shame Byrne wasn’t given more to do. Still, the script gets credit for not taking the obvious route with the Wayland character, in particular her relationship with John, which never becomes cliché. They are simply two single parents who have teamed up to uncover the truth because it means saving their children, and kudos to the film for never forcing a contrived romance.
In a lot of ways, “Knowing” exceeded my expectations. I went into it expecting a CGI-filled disaster movie with explosions every few second, but instead got a terrifically paced suspense-thriller with well-drawn characters. Proyas continues to impress with his visual acumen, and certainly the airplane crash and its raw, immediate aftermath is one of “Knowing’s” highlights. The film is a bit of a slow-mover at the beginning, but it does pick up steam and builds toward an unpredictable Third Act, before settling into a curiously muted conclusion. You expect a movie about the end of the world to go out with a bang, but “Knowing” and Alex Proyas have other ideas.
Alex Proyas (director) / Ryne Douglas Pearson, Juliet Snowden, Stiles White, Stuart Hazeldine, Alex Proyas (screenplay)
CAST: Nicolas Cage … John Koestler
Chandler Canterbury … Caleb Koestler
Rose Byrne … Diana Wayland
D.G. Maloney … The Stranger
Lara Robinson … Lucinda Embry / Abby Wayland
Nadia Townsend … Grace Koestler
Alan Hopgood … Rev. Koestler
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11 Comments
“I am not afraid of the Stranger”
I want to write about that most of all was pleasant in a film.Or rather about sombody.
Image of star wanderer typed in my memory once and for all. It was remembered me his chiselled face, such manly and strong. His eyes – the most unfathomable that I've ever seen. He have eclipsed all other personage. It's amazing how Daniel Maloney succeeded in depict sombre piercing coldness of space alien. Especially in the end, where lights and darks was passing over his face. Stranger was also irresistible when he were going away with weary steps, arrogantly and gracefully having turned his head.
We have a lot of spectators who appreciated at its true value this image. I think it was not simple role. It has been played so skillfully, that often, when I leave the house, it's seems to me, I will observe black tall figure in the crowd. Black but blond. As a symbol of good. It is pleasant to me whole his shape alien to any falseness and lie. And his gaze kind of very honest.
I have understood from the film only one old true – don't to know beforehand. To receive black mourning stones – needn't too. If it is unique chance to see Stranger side by side – I would agree even to die. I am not afraid of the end of the world and absolutely don't believe in it. I believe only in Maloney's acting. Sooner I will believe that Stranger come into my life some day. Will be cool!!! So, perhaps, in film he called wrong: He is not the Stranger, he – The Dream.
The only thing I didn't like – the computer graphics, painting him, in the end. I don't want that living acting of the actor replace for picture. He was so unusual and convincing beside others that it wasn't necessary to him to emphasize his unearthly origin (or Angelic – it doesn't matter). Just between ourselves, it was a pity that such a beautiful bodily cover turned to ashes.
In addition, I was puzzled, how may take Stranger's hand – it is possible to take only flesh, but it's the spirit and no more than. But the boy easy took his hand. These are all nonsense, certainly, but interestingly what kind of hand was by feel. :- ) In my opinion not all is thought over here. Also the landscape of new earth was too fictitious, ears are similar to seaweed, too thick. Even displeased. The natural would be better, yes? Interestingly whose handwriting figures are written indeed.
The Stranger wins the heart by severity of mien and subtlety of features… By depth of a look, certainly. And that keeps silence. His eyes – as huge black bonfire. Face – as if made of valuable glass and thin as a beam. Even it was terrible for his fragility. Sometimes for some reason it is a pity this pale ascetic young man.He was magnificent. Maloney's beauty in this image was perfect! As it was spiritual beauty.
When I have seen Stranger's eyes in a rear-view mirror, I understood that he in point of fact wish to help them! Though I have started to guess, that he's the positive hero after a scene in wood, when Stranger not made to anybody anything bad. Was nothing besides original fit of anger. But it was very terrible when he slowly turned, and I waited for the bad from him.I even thought that he will present a life to Diana. It would be showier to my mind. Was very a pity to me that it didn't happen. It was such senseless death. I felt sorry for her. I'm sure, then she at last has understood all correctly. But to understand – she was too fretful. Yet on her place – I would be same.
Maloney's great services that he succeeded in finding image of this surprising creature who is given to know everything and look into the soul and judge on its merits. Yes, only the one, who decide the fate of men, can to look so intently and heavily. I couldn't look in such severely burning through eyes. If once to see face like this – never can forget. Anybody except him would not to look so. Thanks for this exact and beautiful personage, Daniel Maloney!
Whisperer was most unsophisticated and real of all. He made especially strong and deep impression in the end. When all was clear without words, only by means of play his eyes and face. By means of slow heavy foot. The whole tragedy of the situation was convey in coldness of eyes and its inexorability. Not at all trite remarks and play of protagonists in this scene – although it move deeply. This coldness and even shadow of disdain human feeling in all stranger's aspect and his head turn were awful and impressive, because distinctly indicated that all decided and nothing can be changed neither tears no persuasion. It was very lamentably and sick at heart to see a back of the Stranger – which was so indifferent, and sharp profile too.
It is this hero who suggested that happy-end will not be. Stranger looked down too severely and unresponsive. I believed it at once therefore it was taken so naturally that unhappy heroes understood it without further ado. About film they say anything, but all is related to Stranger – are superbly and truthfully. All his figure – unruffled calm and ice – personified destiny which nobody can argue. As though the destiny stood at the house of father and his son like motionless black silhouette. It should be terrible and it was terrible. All right.
In spite of gloominess and complexity of silent personage, the image carries in itself light as the black night sky lights stars. Unusual combination – heavy foot of elderly tired man and youthful pure face as if shining from within. Only eyes live on this awesome face and it sparkle. Such especial severity and laconism in all! – in hands that pressed closely to a body like wings of a bird… In simplicity of whole his clothes. Even in buttoned-up shirt which accentuate slender neck. And in strictly close lips and all of his restrained manners. In peculiar smoothness of movements when he was coming into (or even was sailing into) the room of a boy like imponderable illusion or just a shadow in this lone neglected house, where so pity all.
He walked so cautiously… May be that not to break the silence of sleeping house and not to awake father who could prevent to show. It is one of the best and most intensive scenes of a film. Maloney radiant in it: he was from other world really and walked gently as a nightly dream which neither hail nor drive away. I noticed Whisperer with care went past by toy car, without having trod on it heavy boot. I have seen something kind in this episode. Charm of any work is in details. It was one of them. And also many feelings have touched upon shots in the beginning – Night cities and roads which look from above as rivers of flame. And sun in clouds which Lucinda looked on. Circle of sun from father's glass on Lucinda's leaf. And that wolves hear very far howl – beautiful metaphor. Stranger's eyes which similar to black stones… In the end when the boy and the girl have turned back and looked so lightly – it is enough to understand that on the new earth they are well, their easy clothes on a wind symbolize happy future, is it true? And conciliative contrast: blaze – cool grass, black smoke of a fire – white clothes of a new life. But for some reason all spectators worry as they will live and speculate about they perish. “A word is enough to the wise”, said more than enough to see, to my mind.
The Stranger almost doesn't move in a film. His impassivity set off vanity of other people, their fear and uncertainty. It was thought up so strongly and brilliantly! Maloney sensed it deeply and so great! Daniel Maloney succeeded in expression the whole point of his hero. Because not without reason he stood astride – such steady as he had been made of monolith. In this disintegrating world only he seemed secure. Power breathed from his imposing figure. Also to my liking his coolness and lack of trembling in front of arm pointed at him. Probably it would not inflict a wound to him… But it was beautifully… Was beautifully his grit and invulnerability.
In the middle of a film I began to expect that help should come from Whispering Strangers. There was nothing else to hope. And aid came from them… though not as it would like.
Maloney introduced into the film a lot of meaning, in spite of the fact that he had quite little time for it. The more I think of film the more shades of meaning I see.I understand, Stranger's figure was a key to all. He was personification of the destiny, fate, and that nothing to change. Even modern Australian Voland from “Master and Margarita”, but only yourng. Oh yes, uselessly to threaten with pistol, bat and anyhow. It opens doors without a key and comes like it or not. Also does not make concessions. All correct, that was an accurate observation…
Do you remember the episode: Diana carry off kids, but girl say – “They know where we are.” It makes one shiver. It also confirms my guess that he are fate! It is impossible to leave, run and so on…Dead duck! – as they say. What for to crush all of us!? I never found it out – remained behind a shot. Unmeaning death is foolish. About figures and role of prophecy would think up better, yes? Isn't all this that the father let the son go? Or only for fear? It would be easier to dictate words, but then would be no film… Only fair-haired hero knew why. We are only eyewitnesses of events which nobody explained anything.
Something waits for all of us ahead. But if the destiny looked such beautiful eyes it would be better. The Stranger – amazing being. What you will not read in his eyes! If he was on the screen longer, we would understand all that remained unspoken in this film. He wins the sympathy like smoke.
I think that if somewhere is best worlds, and they belong to people better than we, then these people are similar to Maloney as he were in this film. They have the same majestic proud appearance and noble feature. Only I will not have enough fantasy to see what zenith opens wide its flaring depths and whirls, and take he away…
…Whirling sky was just a picture – Maloney was real! All real touches deeply. Was beautifully and solemnly, when his hero stood resisting to a wind, and a wind blew about his clothes, as if he's strange bird and clothes is his plumage. He seemed to me the cold bird. But Whisperer was proud of the mission, it was visible. As if only for this purpose he stood to show how it is necessary to resist to a wind, to be brave. He stood answering a wind with the proud beauty. Even when other strangers moved away letting he have the foreground, accentuating his exceptionality. He was impressive and at the same time touching…
I want he come flying again. I don't remember any more that my nice Stranger is no but the fact is. He's only fairy tale. Even his black stones wished to fly with him but dropped back. They're same powerless as people, which he didn't take with himself… And father fell too.
However the father should stay. He didn't finish something in the life – he must make his peace with father. Probably our shrewd Stranger was the same opinion. May be his long gaze, castied in the end, points to it. Think, all of us live because something important have not made yet. We cannot die until we will not make all that should. …People are supposed to complete the story themselves. Of course, in different ways. Nobody knows all secrets of the universe. However it's all the same to me, it’s absolutely the same. But splendidly that they invented the Stranger and he's exactly this. He's so delicate and transparent; I like his inconceivable eyes, fragile cheekbones and snow hair. He's whole look like flute's sound. Or he's just legend.
Audience see him as horror as a rule. Or see him as angel. I say – he was exactly what is needed!!!
In my representation angels should look kinder than he. Their likeness is not so domineering. And so I don't like this version. I at all do not like any religion. All the more Gods revenge the similarity and I am superstitious. I just want to believe in miracle.
He was not just the fright for thriller too. It is not a thriller at all.
If only a little more :- ). Really only the girl in the beginning was terrible very much. Lucinda scared her sickly crazy look and bloody fingers. (By the way it is our Knowledgeable one who reduced her to this condition. May be Stranger should be reproached for evil here? However not Maloney have thought up it and the director. I know that Maloney's the writer himself and, i'm sure, he would think up the best scenario. And in general i have faith in him.
Nobody knows what own secret sense Maloney put in this image. Something all the same remains secret. I know merely – his name Daniel and I am pleased to know this. The name's ring beautifully and softly. He isn't nameless how was written in somebody's review.
And, or all that, not only he was silent, but also all anyhow. Neither fathers nor sons talk with each other openheartedly. Do you remember what the boy looked at the father from a stairs without daring to approach or without knowing how to speak with him. So painfully to look at it.
Incidentally, I read foreign (for me foreign) comment Knowing and it's so differ from comment of Russian audience. At us nobody sees religious reason; anybody also does not wish to see. Foreign on the contrary think about it so seriously. It seemed to me that all metaphors used in a film are clear only to Catholics. We are orthodox and that's why we possibly understand nothing. However any religion is alien to me and to the majority. But everyone finds something the near in a film.
Stranger's idea was conceived and embodied beautifully. Apart from how many emotions and strained attention terrible scenes with him have provoked. But, certainly, it is not so much how Daniel Maloney provoke me now. If it were not for Whispering Star I would never have known Daniel. This image opened his particular beauty. If it was not for Daniel – would not be the Stranger. Never! Straightforwardness and integrity of his look – all, that is pleasant to me in people. I think if Stranger turned out like this, Maloney has found these fine qualities in himself.
Maloney short biography seemed to me hugely curious. Although I may not understood everything correctly in English. But I saw, he was a rebel. And I respect self-willed and independent character. I have noticed his fearless look. I think that a basis of any beauty is courage. In it's a secret of Maloney's charm and irresistibility. I cannot envisage him the comedian. Probably from that saw him in such serious and tragical role. Sometimes I think – whether he wanted burst out laughing while shooting. When it is necessary to depict gravity – sometimes it becomes ridiculous. Especially if you cheerful.
But his cheerful face remains behind a shot.
Interestingly, what Daniel does now. Does he act in any film? I want it very much, because I will see him again. Or does he work at the theatre? Write music? Like this was wrote about him on one of sites. And it is pleasant to me. I think that if he's the dancer and musician – which may means that he's subtle romantic. And light which flows from eyes are real! – from the bottom of his heart.
It is a pity to me that is known so a little about him. Hi's as Whispering Hero! Especial and full of mystery. Sadly to this day he was well-known only in Australia. Someone has written his biography. And what will he tell himself?Was it interesting to him to act in this film? Does he like the Stranger yourself? Does he agree with his Wispering Hero or not? It will be interesting to learn about it.
I very very very hope that soon he will gladden the admirers with new remarkable work. But for me he'll stay forever come down to earth Star Wanderer.