Can putting together puzzles change your life? Director Marc Turtletaub (Little Miss Sunshine, Loving) shows how it does for one woman who learns to put pieces of her life together differently in this beautifully done film.
Although Turtletaub is basically a film producer, he decided to direct this, his first feature-length film, because of the story, It’s about a 40-year-old housewife played by Kelly MacDonald, (Brave, No Country For Old Men, TV’s Boardwalk Empire) in her first live-action leading role. She plays a wife and mother who becomes brave enough to step out of her boring routine life and comfort zone because of her passion for putting together puzzles.
This time, it’s a woman who has a mid-life crisis instead what is usually a man. The director told us that the script literally landed on his desk and that 90% of the original material ended up on the screen. Natalia Smirnoff wrote the original story which became the film in Argentina, Ropacabezas. She also co-wrote the script for this film with Oren Movermen (The Messenger, Love and Mercy).
MacDonald plays meek and loyal Agnes very understated, but very effectively, as a 40-year-old housewife stuck taking care of everybody but herself. She’s in a rut doing the same daily routine feeding and clothing Louie, (David Denman – Lucky Logan, The Office) and their 2 boys. This is a very different role for Denman who plays her husband. Louie is not a bad guy, but he’s an anachronism. He’s the king and master of the household and he wants his somewhat pampered life at home to stay just the way it is.
Turtletaub uses subdued lighting and added fog machines to set the dark tone of a somewhat oppressed Agnes in her home doing the cooking, laundry, cleaning, and other chores for the boys. The scene where she breaks a plate by accident but is determined to put it back together, but is frustrated she can’t find that last piece. It foreshadows her wanting to always make everything perfect in their home and, later, to complete puzzles. Agnes is gifted an iPhone, which updates her world, and a 1000 piece puzzle for her birthday. She discovers she has talent for putting puzzles together and gains great satisfaction from it and that also changes her routine. She smiles now when completing a puzzle. And Director Turtletaub intentionally changes the look of the film, opening it up with brighter light inside the home and venturing out into the big city of New York. It’s as if a cloud is lifting.
Agnes gets brave and answers an ad from a man named Robert who is looking for a puzzle partner to enter competitions. Popular Indian actor, Irrfan Khan (Inferno, Jurassic World, Life of Pi),plays the role to perfection. He becomes a philosopher who slowly explains why puzzles are so satisfying, because “ When you complete a puzzle, you know that you have made all the right choices.” He adds humor and life while philosophizing.
Robert draws Agnes out, bolstering her confidence to finally buck Louie who is unhappy about her lack of attention. Robert is someone who is finally paying attention to her, telling Agnes he finds her “honest, strange, beautiful and funny.”
Turtletaub told us that most of the film remained pretty much as it was in the original script, but that he struggled with the ending until Denman, who plays Louie, suggested he shoot two different endings. And he did! The director believes he, too, made the right choice with what he used for the film.
Turtletaub reveals Agnes’ personality transformation at an even pace. MacDonald shows every emotion in her subtle but excellently shaded performance. There are lovely silent scenes where you see her pained expressions struggling to find her way. But one of her at night shot from behind, slowly walking up to her knees into a lake against an azure blue sky, is particularly notable.
You’re pulling for Agnes all the way. You know she is contemplating her next move or the next piece to own private puzzle. Will it be dramatic? This film is very well put together, and it shows how making one small change can lead to unexpected adventure.
Sony pictures Classics 1 hour 43 minutes R Reviewed August 1, 2018
