Theo Decker (Oakes Fegley) is a young boy forever changed. Once inquisitive and loved, he find himself alone after a bomb attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York takes his mother. With few options and a weight on his soul, he must move forward to become something more than the echo of tragedy.
Still covered in dust and a bit catatonic, he is led to a friend’s house to stay, as his father and his whereabouts are unknown. Slowly, he finds family and trust in the future again thanks mostly to his friend’s mother, played by Nicole Kidman. Unfortunately, this ray of hope soon dims as his lost father returns to collect him.
Added to this new psuedo-family residing in Las Vegas that includes his father (Luke Wilson) and subsequent girlfriend (Sarah Paulson) puts young Theo at odds with the universe, once again. Looking for a lifeline, he befriends a young Russian boy named Boris (Finn Wolfhard), another lost soul that breaks rules and pushes boundaries as a form of escape.
Fast forward to the future, Theo (Ansel Elgort) is now an antiquities dealer that lives a very measured life. Reuniting with his temporary New York family bring new pain and relationships. Progressing with his life is harder as the chains of his past and present weigh down on him. All of which starts a crack that soon becomes a fissure when his childhood friend Boris (Aneurin Barnard) returns as an adult with new connections and secrets that must come to light.
Throughout this tale, the painting of The Goldfinch becomes more of an anchor for Theo. Slowing and sinking him at times. Both wish to be free, but wishing for something doesn’t always make it so.
This film is based on a powerful story that rings with the echoes of what came before. What are the events that make a person, what choices do we have to change our future? At times this film hit me hard, I could feel the anguish and pain. Though some of the film making and length of the picture itself, watered down the emotional effect. Yes, the film is an interesting piece of art, but outside of Roger Deakins cinematography, I don’t know what else award season may want from this film. for those looking for an emotional tale, this ones for you.
Grade: B
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 2h 29m
Review
Rating
RN review of The Goldfinch
An emotional tale that may be too long for its own good.