Beckett – Movie Reviews by Ry!
Beckett – A Greek Story of Survival
What is it that makes someone enjoy the escape? As we step into the theater with readied anticipation, we always hope that the visuals coincide with a worthy story. In this review, I look at the latest film from Netflix that maps out consequences and fate. Through unorthodox direction, the realism of chance leads to a story of lacking potential. Beckett is a thriller that provides an escape that begs for a story to tell.
When a vacation turns into a nightmare, one man must find a way to survive or become a victim of a foreign country’s political crisis. The foundation of this film uses the basic elements of any thriller. In the beginning, we get a general introduction to Beckett (John David Washington) and his girlfriend April (Alicia Vikander). Through the ‘drop in’ method, we find the couple is on vacation in Greece. Through some convenient plot devices, a tragic event leads to an unwarranted situation. From this point, certain elements lead Beckett becoming the thriller’s perusal victim of circumstance. As the directive places everything in place, the story moves through a linear journey of survival. Moving through scenes of simplistic revelations and subtle character interaction, we become entrapped in the realism of the situation. As Beckett traverses Greece, his interactions with other citizens slowly help piece together the political conspiracy of Greece. These moments of realism add brevity to the derivative nature of the thriller concepts. For every moment of lethargic storytelling, it is the unknown that grips the audience and root for Beckett’s survival.
Once he finds his way back to Athens, the subtlety of survival and realism begins to fade. The changing of setting leads to the script’s underdevelopment fracturing the journey. The simple revelations become a crux to create false thrills, leaving character interactions becoming expositional conversations for plot progression. The introduction of certain elements creates a fallout of the truth. Once everything comes to light, it leads to a third act where trivial plot devices bring everything together. With forced changes with motives and character dynamics, the ‘victim of circumstance’ becomes lost within an anticlimactic heroic ending. Beckett is a thriller that has potential but falls victim to lazy writing. If you are a fan of thrillers, this is one for you. For everyone else, it still would be a fun Friday Night at home.
Full Score – 2.5 out of 5 (Friday Night Rental)