By Kyle Bain | October 15, 2024, originally published in Bain’s Film Reviews
“I adore this film…”
What do you do when someone crosses a line, when someone goes too far? Everyone reacts differently, and when nine strangers meet by chance they will each have the opportunity to see how they respond to such a situation. The Arrival is an up-close-and-personal look at the hardships we face when boundaries are crossed, when our comfortability is compromised. Through the eyes of those nine strangers, all will be revealed.
The Arrival is very theatrical, with each and every one of the actors hitting notes that you’d expect to hear on stage. Their tones are crisp, their temperaments slightly exaggerated, and they are often unaccompanied by a score (although the sometimes low and somber notes do add quite a bit to the production when they do exist). Again, The Arrival is incredibly theatrical, but in a good way. I felt immersed in this film, not like I would when sitting in a theater watching a stage production. I feel disconnected in those moments, almost like an invisible barrier separates the actors from reality and, in turn, me from the production. These actors are a tad exaggerated, but I believe that it only heightens the experience here in The Arrival.
Viv Helvajian (Ember), in particular, fits the bill in regard to the slightly exaggerated performance. While the majority of characters share the screen and screen time, it seems that Ember is meant to be the main character, the one that gets the bulk of the attention and ultimately helps to drive the film forward. Helvajian often edges just past reality in her performance, and that actually adds depth to the character. I’ll be honest, she makes some unique and interesting faces throughout the course of The Arrival, but rather than detract from her character, it actually makes her quite charming. While she is the most prominent example of these character attributes, nearly everyone does something similar. The combination of Director Alyssa Rallo Bennett and this cast is a match made in heaven.
There’s a bit of mystery present in The Arrival, and Bennett, along with Writer Gary O. Bennett isn't afraid to hang important information over our heads to pull us along and keep us interested. Withholding information works wonders for the film, allowing it to remain interesting and appealing throughout. The story is well paced, giving us information at just the right time, keeping us in the dark just long enough to have us begging for it, but not long enough to frustrate us.
I adore this film. From the acting to the direction, and the mystery to the brilliant collaboration on all parts, The Arrival hits all the right notes, effectively telling a compelling story from start to [almost] finish.
Directed by Alyssa Rallo Bennett.
Written by Gary O. Bennett.
Starring Viv Helvajian, Pooya Mohseni, Alice Herber Martins, Nick Hamparyan, Ines Ladha, etc.
8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING