The Nest Movie Review! JM says, Jude Law is “classically conniving” and “charming” in this adult drama.

Classically conniving, yet charismatic, Jude Law headlines the delightfully dark “The Nest.” Sean Durkin’s sophomore effort hauntingly showcases the stark contrasts of the family dynamic with this thrilling throwback.

Ambitious entrepreneur Rory O’Hara (Jude Law) persuades his American wife, Allision (Carrie Coon), to uproot their life and move their family to his native England. Escaping suburbia with Reaganomics to the thrilling Thatcher era, England awaits the O’Hara family. Hoping his new business endeavors will lead to greater riches, Rory rejoins his former firm and reignites his brokering career. However, despite finding a sprawling country manor so Allison can raise her horses and present an image of prestige for their children, their unsettling, unraveling marriage becomes even more obvious with the change of scenery.
Sean Durkin delighted audiences with his thought-provoking debut feature film “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” so it’s nice to see him film something startling, new and naturalistic once again considering the long gap between movies. “The Nest” provides a provocative and stimulating stark showcase between uprooting your family from America to England with a wonderful 80’s setting. Durkin’s disturbing depiction of desperation and troubled married life is on full-display thanks to terrific performances by his leads, Jude Law and Carrie Coon.

A more mature Jude Law is ideal for remarkable roles like this and I’m excited for this new chapter in his career. He magnificently manifests the mantra of “keeping up with the Jonses” and his slimy social-climber character Rory refuses to acknowledge he’s only a smooth salesman, nothing more, with dreams of grandeur. Rory’s professional life slowly starts unraveling allowing the frustrating family dynamic to become even more obvious by the day. Jude Law fantastically breathes life into this despicable, wretched character. Luckily, Law is equally matched with his counterpart Carrie Coon. The calm, collected nature of Allison allows Rory’s ridiculous white lies to go unacknowledged until reaching a breaking point. The pretentious perception of wealth wielded by Carrie Coon conveys the desperation one is willing to put themselves through in order to maintain “a certain lifestyle.” The focus on a fractured family slowly spiraling out of control with two commanding performances makes “The Nest” one of the year’s best surprises!The delusions of grandeur with a mid-life crisis creates a wonderful, tense adult drama with “The Nest.” Tonally, the film reminds me of “A Most Violent Year” and “Ordinary People” combined with the classic 70s and 80s adult dramas. If this movie was recast 40 years ago I could see Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie playing the leads. This bleak movie blurs the lines and initially feels like a haunting psychological film early on. However, the message is very clear- don’t live beyond your means and be honest with your partner. Family should always be your number one priority and don’t do stuff just to impress others. It’s a great gut-wrenching moral story, but the simplistic setting of social climbing and family in crisis won’t be for everyone. If you want a solid adult drama, “The Nest” will do the trick.

3 out of 4 Stars

Available On Demand starting November 17, 2020

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