Suburbicon: A Darkly Humorous Look at American Suburbia
While not the most original, hilarious, or groundbreaking work in the careers of the Coen brothers, George Clooney, and Matt Damon, Suburbicon is a worthwhile film that explores human flaws and primal passions.
The film presents Suburbicon as an idyllic town in the American Midwest of the 1950s, a place seemingly untouched by malice, betrayal, or deceit. However, this picture-perfect existence is a fragile facade, easily shattered. The first crack appears when the Myers, an African-American family, moves in. The town’s residents react with shocking intolerance, turning the Myers’ lives into a living hell. Simultaneously, tragedy strikes the Lodge family, neighbors to the Myers, when two thugs invade their home. Rose Lodge, Gardner’s wife, is killed during the attack, but Gardner seems strangely reluctant to cooperate with the police in identifying the murderers. It becomes clear that this Suburbicon resident is not the ideal American he pretends to be.
The Coen brothers began writing the script for Suburbicon in 1986, after their debut film, Blood Simple. They initially intended to direct it themselves, but the project was shelved until producer Joel Silver convinced them to revisit it.
A Stellar Cast and Crew
With a screenplay by the Coen brothers, direction by George Clooney, and starring roles for Matt Damon and Julianne Moore, Suburbicon seemed destined for greatness. Such a formidable combination of talent should have resulted in a highly anticipated film, a contender for major awards, and a box-office success. However, the reality was different. The film didn’t generate significant buzz, failed to impress the jury at the Venice Film Festival, and was released in Russia by a small independent distributor rather than a major studio. Could it be that the Coens, known for their biting satire, had lost their touch? Or had Damon’s star faded? Perhaps Clooney had entered a creative slump?
This is George Clooney’s sixth directorial effort, but the first film he directed without also starring in it.
Familiar Territory
Fortunately, viewers need not worry about the individual talents involved in Suburbicon. They all maintain their high standards and reputations. However, they don’t deliver anything particularly groundbreaking in this instance. This is a common challenge for those who strive for success: audience expectations often exceed the sum of a film’s parts. Suburbicon clearly bears the signature plot twists of Joel and Ethan Coen. Clooney once again immerses himself in the atmosphere of the mid-20th century and experiments with film noir. Damon portrays a bumbling, hapless character who believes he’s smarter than the criminals he’s dealing with. All the necessary elements are present, but the film lacks a sense of freshness.
The main problem with Suburbicon is the distinct feeling that we’ve seen it all before. The central plot closely resembles that of Fargo, with similar inept criminals, a similarly dim-witted protagonist, and equally awkward small-town cops. Clooney’s stylistic choices evoke Good Night, and Good Luck, while Julianne Moore seems to have wandered in from the set of Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Damon’s comedic performance, at times, is reminiscent of Russian comedian Garik Kharlamov. Unfortunately, this combination works against the film. From the beginning, it’s clear where the ill-fated scheme will lead (the Coens have become predictable), and the film loses its sense of mystery. The secondary storylines even prove to be more engaging than the main plot.
Unfulfilled Potential
The film’s critics have a point. The story unfolds in three main directions: the murder of Rose Lodge, Gardner’s dealings with the criminals, and the conflict between the Myers and their neighbors. However, all three paths lead nowhere, fizzling out or simply fading away without any original or inventive development. In addition to the Coens, Clooney and Grant Heslov are credited as writers, but it feels as though a novice writer, previously tasked with stretching out mundane soap opera episodes, “fleshed out” a half-page synopsis into a full-fledged screenplay.
Worth a Watch?
Despite its flaws, Suburbicon is worth watching, at least for those who appreciate well-made films. The setup is precise, the intrigue lasts for a good portion of the film, and there are several memorable characters, such as the insurance inspector played by Oscar Isaac and the villain played by Glenn Fleshler. The film also has a good sense of humor, which significantly improves the viewing experience. Finally, there are two Julianne Moores and a noticeably heavier Matt Damon – isn’t that reason enough to watch? While the film doesn’t reach the heights of Fargo, A Serious Man, or Intolerable Cruelty, it still carries the DNA of the Coen brothers, living legends of cinema. So, welcome to Suburbicon. And don’t resist – it will only make things worse.