The Vast of Night is proof that you don't need a big budget or big stars to make a dynamite thriller.
Film critic Jason Evans does not want to waste your time with long-winded film reviews, so he is committed to tell you all you need to know about movies in exactly 100 words (not 99, not 101). So, here is his 100 word review of The Vast of Night, which debuts on Amazon Prime on May 29.
The Premise: From first-time director Andrew Patterson, the film is framed as as episode of a Twilight Zone-style TV show. The action takes place in 1950s New Mexico where teenage switchboard operator Fay and local radio DJ Everett bond one night over their mutual love of making recordings. They notice that they have recorded an unusual sound that doesn't seem natural. As they investigate the strange sound they find others who have heard it, all whom say it is being made by "people in the sky."
The 100 Words: A master-class in building tension and excitement. Even though nothing happens for the first 20 minutes you are inexorably drawn in to the characters. Patterson makes great use of extremely long takes and tracking shots to inject us into the story. It is almost impossible to believe that he is a first-time director. By letting the camera linger on his characters, he extracts wonderful acting performances from them. The ending may not be completely satisfying, but it feels true to the story and the journey there is stunning. Don't miss this, it is among the best films of the year.
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