Serenity - You have to see it to believe it

I may have mentioned before that January and February are usually the worst times of the year to go to the movies. The first two months of the year are commonly relegated by the Studios for things like reluctant contract obligations and films they don't have any faith in doing well. The assumption being that because it's right after the Holidays, and many people have already spent an abundant amount of money on gifts and food, people are less likely to go to the theaters. So they release the movies they don't really care about just to maintain a regular schedule and box office returns be damned. Even so, every once in a while, there is a movie released in this dumping ground period that turns out to be a real diamond in the rough. Today's film may not be precisely that, but it is pretty damn close. 

Framed as a neo-noir thriller the story follows a down on his luck fishing boat captain named Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey) who spends his time taking on odd quests and hiring his boat out to tourists looking to make a big catch. That all begins to change when he is greeted by his ex-wife Karen Zariakas (Anne Hathaway) who Dill has not seen or heard from in ten years, nor from his young son. Turns out that Karen has found herself in an abusive marriage (both emotionally and physically) and seeks an escape for herself and their son. She offers to pay Dill one million dollars to take her husband out on his boat and leave him for the Sharks. Now, Dill must carefully consider this complicated situation as he weighs the consequences. 

To say any more about the story or the plot would constitute spoilers and I intend to keep this a spoiler free review. What I will speak about the story, without spoiling anything, is that I very much appreciated the way it depicted and represented a specific form of technology as a means of coping with harsh times and as a means of healthy escapism rather than as the central cause of evil action. 

This is actually one of those rare occasions where the less I can tell you about the movie, the better your experience will likely be with it. Aside from a few issues I personally had with the editing, this movie genuinely delivers a unique experience. Add to that some compelling performances, competent writing and directing, gorgeous cinematography, and a profound message about some of the more harsh things in life, you have a January release that is actually worth your time. 

Is this movie worth seeing? 

Yes 

Is it worth seeing in theaters? 

Yes 

Why? 

It is a one of a kind film that must be seen to believed. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading.