Logline: West Point, 1830. A world-weary detective is hired to discreetly investigate the gruesome murder of a cadet. Stymied by the cadets’ code of silence, he enlists one of their own to help unravel the case — a young man the world would come to know as Edgar Allan Poe.
Is there ever a justification for murder? Is there any situation where you think that taking someone else’s life is the right thing to do? I’m not talking about self-defense or a crime of passion, but deliberate and premeditated cold-blooded murder. Could you live with yourself? Can you handle the guilt and possible continuous cycle of retribution? Also, what if you take out the wrong person? No matter how you feel, there is a lot to think about and endless ramifications that follow. A few seconds of revenge can result in a lifetime of doom.
“There is a very disturbing pattern here, Poe.”
As a chill creeps down the spine and goosebumps overrun the skin, all that remains is cold and darkness. Written and directed by Scott Cooper, The Pale Blue Eye is a frigid and grim mystery that Poe would approve of. Based on a book of the same name, this dark and dreary gothic tale sparks intriguing from its opening scene and only grows more interesting as it progresses. Following detective Augustus Landor played by Christian Bale, if you love a good murderous, grisly, slightly occult mystery with a great twist, you’ve found the right film. In a world full of evil and uncertainties, this is a story that feels fitting for the times, even as it’s set in the 1800s. Furthermore, while it may be a work of fiction, this wicked whodunnit satiates that true crime fix that many seem to have. You’ll continuously ponder the clues, causes of death, and whether or not it’s all done in the name of malevolent forces or is everything simply as it seems. As fire meets the bitter winter breeze, we are eventually given a satisfying explanation and an unquestionable motive. As stories similar to in some ways make recent headlines, this film begs the question, “what would you do?” and there’s no easy answer.
“Someone has to hang for this.”
As I mentioned before, the film’s aesthetic and overall tone is perfect for the events that take place. The sense of dread that lingers throughout heightens the totality of each unfortunate occurrence. The addition of Harry Melling as a young Edgar Allen Poe as a sort of Watson to Landor’s Sherlock Holmes is a superb bonus as a to an already captivating scenario. Nevertheless, the film is missing something. Despite its tone, I found it to be lacking in the danger department. As heinous as the actions are that transpire, there doesn’t seem to be any since of urgency or fear from anyone until the third act. However, that should not deter from this cold-blood conundrum of killing. The production design is great, the haunting score makes each second feel uneasy, and there are some terrific and lasting shots. Overall, this is a good but not great film. Nonetheless, it is still an enjoyable watch. The acting is fantastic, you aren’t left with any lingering questions, and it all comes together neatly. I don’t think you’ll regret watching. Its rewatchability is medium.
Pacing & Pop
The pacing of this film is nowhere near what I expected. The story gets going immediately and keeps a relatively fast pace throughout. What popped for me was the gothic ambiance of the film. It’s dark, cold, and ripe for danger. Feels like a story thatEdgar Allen Poe belongs in.
Characters & Chemistry
Starring: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Lucy Boynton, Gillian Anderson, Toby Jones, Harry Lawtey, Timothy Spall, Robert Duvall
As expected, Christian Bale is in full command of his role as Augustus Landor. He brings a dark and gloomy confidence that you want to lead this mystery. However, he is outshined by the scene-stealing talents of Harry Melling. Not only did he completely pull off the appearance, but the rich and eloquent rapid-fire dialogue is rather enjoyable.
The Pale Blue Eye released in select theaters on December 23, 2022, and will stream on Netflix on January 6, 2023. Remain safe and enjoy.
Rated: R Runtime: 2h 9m Director: Scott Cooper Writer: Scott Cooper Based on Novel by: Louis Bayard Producers: Scott Cooper, Christian Bale, Josh Leshner, Tyler Thompson Executive Producers: Tracey Landon, Louis Bayard, Buddy Patrick, Emily Hunter Salveson, Ryan Donnell Smith, Dylan Weathered Director of Photography: Masanobu Takayanagi
The Pale Blue Eye is a frigid and grim mystery that Poe would approve of.
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
