THE FRONT ROOM
*
Directed by Sam Eggers and Max Eggers.
Starring Brandy Norwood, Kathryn Hunter, Andrew Burnap.
Comedy, US, 86 minutes, Certificate 15.
Released in cinemas in the UK on 25th October by Universal Pictures
Hailing from A24, the home of “elevated” horror, any interest in this misfire of a film may be due to its directors, Sam and Max Eggers. Brothers to Robert, who you will no doubt have heard of due to THE VVITCH and THE LIGHTHOUSE which was co-written by Max, this is a completely different type of film in case anyone may be swayed by the family name alone. For those of you expecting something in the vein of one of the most interesting and exciting writer/directors working in cinema today… well… prepare yourselves to be severely disappointed.
Based on a short story by Susan Hill (THE WOMAN IN BLACK), this starts off as something seemingly more sinister than it ultimately ends up being. Heavily pregnant and overlooked at her job as a university professor, Belinda has even more struggles at home. Still grieving the loss of her still born son, Belinda is surprised by the introduction to her mother-in-law Solange, a seemingly monstrous figure from Belinda’s timid husband's past. Forced to take in the aged figure to their own home, through a misplaced sense of loyalty and the promise of an altered will that will solve their financial problems, Belinda and Norman try to make the best of their awkward living situation.
Solange however seems to delight in racially aggravating her daughter-in-law. This can only be attributed to an old fashioned sense of behaviour and outdated attitudes for so long and when Solange starts to take an interest in how her granddaughter should be raised, Belinda's paranoia increases as to what exactly her frail yet vicious mother-in-law has planned for her family.
Coming and going as quick as a flash at the US box office where it failed to make any impression financially or otherwise, one of the most surprising things about this film is the fact that it has managed to gain a cinema release over here at all. Feeling as inconsequential and barely above what is acceptable for a straight to streaming release, this feels at times like a particularly warped spin on a Lifetime movie, albeit one that tries to get as much mileage as possible with an over-reliance on its antagonists incontinence issues. Only a meagre handful of sinister incidents and imagery shine through suggesting a racially charged, fundamental take on ROSEMARY’S BABY, but in the end these amount to absolutely nothing with its absolute damp squib of an ending.
Brandy Norwood, making a return to the big screen after a number of years, does as well as she can with the material that has been dealt to her which is more than can be said for Andrew Burnap as her annoying pushover of a husband. Kathryn Hunter however makes the film just about watchable with her hysterical performance as Solange. After memorable performances in such diverse projects such as ANDOR and POOR THINGS, she brings a wicked glint to the film that may earn it a minor cult audience who could find delight in her campy and sometimes shocking bitchery that is usually delivered through a seemingly innocent smile.
By going for the cheap laughs and shocks every time over its very weak horror elements the film’s tone comes across as awkward, displaying the less than sure footed handling of the two brothers who have brought this to the screen. Destined to be little more than an obscure piece of trivia related to their more successful sibling, at the very least it serves as a reminder that we don’t have that much longer to wait for the release of his take on NOSFERATU. Surely that will be better than this!
Iain MacLeod
