Lucian Fick

Wow, a couple friends recommended this film, and I'm glad I took their lead. I was non-stop gripped throughout. A very smart riff on the "missing persons" genre, lots of twists and turns. You never knew who to trust so the action kept you on the edge of your seat. Excellent direction. Punchy script. And the acting was on point, by the two principals especially (Nia Long and the most excellent Storm Reid, she of "Euphoria"). Joaquim de Almeida turns in a very sympathetic performance as the daughter's contact in Columbia.

Let's face it- we are spoiled rotten these days. So many streaming services to choose from. So much great tv. Theater releases, sometimes available on the same day. All this means that watching movies at home is, for better or worse, not unlike speed-dating. You give a film a chance. You're looking to get sucked in but something better happen within the first 15 minutes or you're out of there. Check, please! That's what happened with this film. The idiot robber should have taken the money and run, made off in the couple's car. It would have been a clean get-away. But nooooo. He had go and lock the couple in an outdoor sauna? Ridiculous. The door was made of glass and could have been kicked out in two seconds! Suspension of disbelief only goes so far. People are commenting on how great the soundtrack is. The music was interesting. I'll give it that. But to me it was obtrusive and used to telegraph stuff that we didn't need telegraphing. That's on the director. Finally, I really respect Jesse Plemons as an actor, and have been a fan of his since "Friday Night Lights," but Ima give this effort of his a hard pass.

Cannot believe all the gushing reviews! Even more unbelievable are the 1-star ratings that are hoping against hope that maybe a Season 2 will iron things out! Seriously? The only reason I'm giving BHE 2 stars is the acting. Special props go to Eve Hewson (yes, THAT Hewson) who has her hands full as Adele/Rob/Louise. She manages to hold our interest throughout. I also enjoyed Rob's character. The friendship he and Adele had (especially in rehab) was truly touching, but in the end it was maybe- erm- a skosh too too close for comfort- if you know what I mean? Anyway, slap on the subtitles (you've got not one but two Scottish motormouths and their thick brogue to contend with). Otherwise you will miss a good third of the dialogue. Suggestion two: drop off your high expectations in the umbrella holder by the door. This steaming hot mess will require some heavy-duty suspension of disbelief.

I love how the goombas buckled her in before they pushed her car over the cliff and into the lake. Safety first!

If “The Little Things” proves anything it’s how “the little things” can derail a perfectly fine morality play disguised as a whodunnit and turn the last third of this Denzel Washington “vehicle” into a woeful train wreck. Ugh. Disclaimer: I am not one who needs things spelled out for me, so the ambiguity at the end isn't what bothers me. And I'm more than happy to suspend disbelief in service of enjoying a cracking good yarn- spinner. No, it was the ludicrous idea that not only would a cop would leave his partner behind during a stakeout, but that he'd get in the car with a suspected serial killer! I mean, c'mon. This was a deal-breaker for me.