The Box

The Box offers an interesting premise and a unique, intoxicating atmosphere (music, set designs and the overall retro feel of everything from the costumes to the wallpaper). Too bad that the sci-fi plot in the background of the story is so phantasmagorical that you cannot take the film seriously. But it’s worth seeing this anyway as a creative trip, inspiring longer discussions than most unoriginal, formulaic sci-fi thrillers. (02/08/2010)

It’s been very long since a film made me feel so nervous and uncomfortable. The Box has a great atmosphere, a surprisingly brilliant digital retro look and a disturbing story. The direction is quite insane, but with a style that you can tell is intentional. And Frank Langella in the role of a “weird fellow” is almost the incarnation of my nightmares. (12/13/2009)

Kelly has stopped reveling in his own dubious genius and has come back down to earth to serve up a highly polished and inventive genre hybrid with a faded 1970s atmosphere, moral dilemmas, and a demonic Frank Langella. He doesn't bother with long explanations, he simply reminds us of Kubrick and aims straight for the goal. The ending was excellent. (12/22/2009)

Ugh, we've ended up someplace completely different... I expected a lot from this movie. Unfortunately my expectations were not met. The movie was so bland and flavorless and there was too much unnecessary sci-fi. I do appreciate how it could be confusing, since I had to check about three times to make sure the film was from 2009. The clothes, home furnishings, and overall atmosphere are more in keeping with the time 20 years ago. A bit unhinged, but again, boringly unhinged. (10/30/2010)

I can say for myself that I really enjoyed The Box, and if the director and screenwriter in-one had waited a little longer with the point and the tension had increased, my satisfaction would have been maximum. I realize that even many famous films often don't work at their core. Here, the mysterious atmosphere and omnipresent tension work very well. Actually, the only significant criticism I would have is towards Cameron Diaz's casting. Sweet Cameron, may she not be mad at me, has always been and remains just a typecast actress with limited range. In a film like The Box, the viewer's impression primarily depends on the performances, and it requires someone from among the best character actresses. I don't know, maybe Cameron Diaz was involved in the film as a co-producer, or the production demanded a famous face, but in any case, it was a mistake. Overall impression: 75%. (01/11/2015)

If I had put The Box on, watched the first half and fallen asleep, I wouldn't have regretted it. That entire part of the film is great. The plot with the box, the NASA mysteries thrown in, Cameron Diaz, who was once again surprisingly likable, and especially Frank Langella, who makes every second a pleasure. Not to mention the great music! Unfortunately, in the middle of the second half came strong disappointment. The director/screenwriter probably succumbed to the impression that he had to make a simple story as complex as possible, and so he decided to end The Box in an ugly, pretentious (which in this case means "stupid") and ridiculous way. That’s too bad. The Box should have been either a much shorter film, which then would not have been able to cram all the uselessness into it, or it should have been longer, so that the uselessness could be justified and explained. That’s really too bad. But there is one big plus that I can't deny the second overstuffed half - Langella's monologue about boxes. (07/31/2012)

I might get ulcers from Kelly's stuff. That guy is unbelievable. His films have amazing elements. In the case of "The Box", it's the box itself and its concept, sci-fi elements, great retro style. But how does it all come together and how do you try to follow the film, you start feeling similar sensations as with "Apocalypse" or "Donnie Darko" again. There are too many themes, Kelly tries to present his ideas as crucial, but at the same time, he can't avoid cheesiness, which lacks perspective. Kelly simply doesn't work for me, and "The Box" is just another proof of that. Great ideas, but they lack consistency. The twist is good, but unfortunately, you also realize how banal it all actually is. (05/15/2014)