A prison drama in the forms that I have never seen. Maybe there have been those done in this degree with quite similar traits however to me this indeed is a first. A movie that is in search of its plot. A movie that wraps up with ironic developments of the lead roles. To me I find STONE faltering on a very thin line between a must watch and a waste of time. As the saying goes “there is a thin line between love and hate”.
STONE is a mellifluous collection of cliffhangers. There isn’t finesse nor closure to any of the plot lines discussed (that is only if you are able to figure out its plot; I for one could not zero in on a concentrate plot). I recall THE PAINTED VEIL by John Curran from a few years ago. A Curran movie that you must watch. However are Curran’s intentions with his style in STONE a touch of genius? The answer is quite simple. STONE is certainly not for everybody. In fact it is for the minority of those who seek mature themes. Yet; then again when did we fast cars and action robot loving generation appreciate drama even if it came and hit you in the face? How many viewers out of 10 would chose SCHINDLERS LIST over MISSION IMPOSSIBLE? Let me make it simpler how many viewers out of 10 would choose the KINGS SPEECH over INCEPTION? If you are one of those who will choose SCHINDLERS LIST or KINGS SPEECH without any hesitation you will appreciate Curran’s work in STONE. Although my head still does hurt trying to place certain cliffhangers with closure!
AA winner Robert De Niro and AA nominee Edward Norton’s acting is without any doubt the lifeline in this plot free plot! It’s hard enough to keep tabs on the flow of the story, imagine if the lead roles are played by those who lack depth in their performance? Norton’s calm approach and De Niros firm presence brings to life the struggle between an inmate and a prison correction officer and the grand prize; a parole hearing for freedom. Craftily aided by the RESIDENT EVIL beauty Milla Jovovich the plot thickens even more. Millas motive is something that I am still unable to understand. What she wants and what she does and what she will do next is thoroughly unpredictable and this will irritate you to the bone. What’s worse is that even as the end credits roll up I am unable to still place her at a constant.
Gerald “Stone” Creeson is doing his time for arsony. Jack Mabry is a prisons corrections officer who is at the verge of his retirement. Jack has one more case to close prior to his freedom of prison work; the case of Stone. The only person that stands between Stone and his parole hearing and his reunion with his wife Lucetta is Jack. Jacks recommendation will either give Stone a parole hearing or it will give him more time. Lucetta and Stone plot against Jack. Lucetta tries to seduce Jack and framing him into a position where the parole hearing will be his only way out. In the meantime Stone has a change of heart and apparently has an epiphany. Stone turns to god; Jack turns away from god into adultery. What Lucetta is up to I have no idea!
Nothing More Nothing Less
Title: Stone
Directed by: John Curran
Starring: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton and Milla Jovovich
Rated: R for strong sexuality and violence and pervasive language
Rating: 06/10
105 Minutes