Review of Child 44 (2015) by Foxgrove — 16 Apr 2015
Despite a good performance from Tom Hardy this is a confused and unconvincing drama based on a popular novel by Tom Rob Smith. Juggling with rather too many story strands it fails to maintain focus and the end result is a sprawling mess.
The premise promises much dealing as it does with the search for a child serial killer (based on true facts) circa 1954 in Russia, but anyone expecting a movie in the vein of Zodiac or Seven will be really disappointed as this aspect of the film is given short shrift.
More time is spent dealing with the power play between MGB officers bent on keeping its citizens under control at all costs. The film has a few standout scenes most of which involve murder or violence and the final confrontation with the child killer is effective at first instance, but is disappointingly played out.
Technically the film is just so so. The cinematography is dark and dingy and the music adds little to the mood. The ending is predictable if quite moving, but such calculated manipulation is in no way a reason to forgive or forget the struggle one has endured in the preceding two hours.
This review of Child 44 (2015) was written by Foxgrove on 16 Apr 2015.
Child 44 has generally received mixed reviews.
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