The Apology is a hard film to review as its simple-but-captivating story is best left unspoiled.
All you really need to know is it’s a thriller and the general plot sees recovering alcoholic Darlene (Anna Gunn) marking the 20th anniversary of her daughter’s disappearance at Christmas time when her estranged former brother-in-law Jack (Linus Roache) unexpectedly arrives on her doorstep.
With its single house location and miniscule cast, The Apology is reminiscent of a stage play – and like theatre’s best, heavily relies on the quality of its cast.
Breaking Bad’s Gunn and Mandy’s Roache are absolutely sensational throughout two very different performances.
The pair have a past and endure just about every emotion imaginable as the unforgettable winter night unfolds.
The only other main cast member is Janeane Garofalo ( Gretchen ), an actress I have always been a fan of, and the New Jersey-born star plays a small-but-important part in proceedings.
After helming a pair of short films, writer-director Alison Locke makes her feature-length flick debut with a very powerful piece of work.
Setting it during Christmas tugs on reflective family heart strings and the blizzard battering outside ensures the claustrophobic belief that no-one can go anywhere.
If I was to be uber critical, Locke’s film does start to run out of steam before the climax as there is only so much mileage you can get out of such a small cast and the developments between them.
Overall, however, I am not sorry to say I really enjoyed The Apology . As much as it’s great to get swept up in blockbusters like The Mandalorian and Grogu or the latest MCU offering, sometimes taking a step back to small scale fare is just what the movie doctor ordered.
● What are your thoughts on flicks with a small cast and single location? Do you prefer the intimacy, or larger scale filmmaking?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
Cara Gilhooley got in touch to say: “Scarpetta on Amazon Prime is a great show. As a fan of the books it is based on, they nailed all of the main characters really well.”
● The Apology is showing on Shudder.
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