The Box (2009/I)

Director:

Richard Kelly

Writers (WGA):

Richard Kelly (screenplay)
Richard Matheson (short story "Button, Button")

Release Date:

6 November 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

You Are The Experiment

Plot:

A small wooden box arrives on the doorstep of a married couple, who know that opening it will grant them a million dollars and kill someone they don't know.

Plot Keywords:

Moral Dilemma | Supernatural | NASA | Based On Short Story | 1970s

US Showtimes:

Beverly Center Cinemas

2:20pm | 9:40

(personalize)

Cast

Cameron Diaz	...	Norma Lewis
James Marsden	...	Arthur Lewis
Frank Langella	...	Arlington Steward
James Rebhorn	...	Norm Cahill
Holmes Osborne	...	Dick Burns
Sam Oz Stone	...	Walter Lewis
Gillian Jacobs	...	Dana
Celia Weston	...	Lana Burns
Deborah Rush	...	Clymene Steward
Lisa K. Wyatt	...	Rhonda Martin
Mark S. Cartier	...	Martin Teague (as Mark Cartier)
Kevin Robertson	...	Wendel Matheson
Michele Durrett	...	Rebecca Matheson (as Michele Durett)
Ian Kahn	...	Vick Brenner
John Magaro	...	Charles

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #44919) | Finland:K-13 | UK:12A | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Australia:M | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Ireland:15A

Filming Locations:

Boston Public Library - 700 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Darko Entertainment

Trivia:

Veteran character actor, Basil Hoffman, was also in the original version of this story when "Button, Button" aired on "The Twilight Zone: Profile in Silver/Button, Button (#1.20)" (1986).

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): After Norma's Father runs Arlington's license plate number, he refers to the vehicle as a "Town Car". It's actually a Buick Electra.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Moviemaking in Virginia: Take 3 (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

MUSTANG SALLY

Like it, or like it not, the truth behind the Box

This film just opened a film festival in Lund, Sweden, weeks before the official release. Although the film didn't make a massive impression on me, I definitely found it worthwhile.

It is a film that makes you think. The pace is slow, scary at times and gradually building a mood of mystery. Although confusing in the beginning, there is an explanation to it, like it or like it not. Satisfying to some, adding to the feeling of mystery to others.

It would be interesting to see the original short film the plot is based upon, in particular to see how the message could be delivered in a more condensed manner.

James and Frank were convincing, although Cameron doesn't quite deliver, perhaps not her genre.