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[josephfrady]

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#cube #1997 DIR #vincenzonatali CAST #nicoledeboer #mauricedeanwint #mystery #drama #movie DP #derekrogers (à Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6TwDTzohTS/?igshid=1icemum71u179

[doomonfilm]

Thoughts : Cube (1997)

There are some truly odd movies out there in this world.  Films that make you curious simply because they do not resemble anything else out there.  When these movies are executed correctly, the way that they can expand your horizons and the way you look at film as a whole is truly a unique experience.  I remember this occurring way back in my college days when an ex-roommate, good friend and fellow oenophile brought home Cube, a film neither of us had heard of previously, and a film that has since become not only a personal favorite, but largely a cult favorite. 

Alderson (Julian Richings) finds himself in a strange room.  As he steps forward, an invisible trap slices him to pieces.  Another room finds Quentin (Maurice Dean Wint) discovering Worth (David Hewlett), who is passed out.  A door near them opens, and Quentin yanks Holloway (Nicky Guadagni) into the room, scaring her nearly to death.  Leaven (Nicole de Boer) appears in a room next to them after unidentified sounds emerge from the areas around them, and with the help of Quentin, she is brought into the rapidly occupied room.  Moments later, Rennes (Wayne Robson) pops in with a system for testing rooms, advancing the group from room to room as they try to assess the situation.  Once Rennes finds himself a victim of the trap, the remaining members of the thrown together pack must figure out how to survive in a situation that makes little to no sense.

Cube is an experience unlike any other.  You are given little to no premise at the beginning of the film, and many important events take place in rapid succession before any valuable exposition is presented.  The only clear indications given to us are tension and confusion, and the enclosed nature of the Cube amplifies these feelings greatly.  With so limited space to work with, information and certainty become valuable commodities to both the characters and the viewers, and we are collectively pushed forward simply by a need to understand what is going on.  This format lends itself to repeat viewings for the same reason films like Primer need repeat viewings... the information is dense, the concepts are deep, and the acting is incredibly solid.

The collection of characters is nearly perfect in terms of both assembly and characteristics that offset the stilted nature of the premise.  Quentin is the most forward of the group, which makes the fact that he is the only one referred to by his first name interesting.  Worth, as an engineer of the exterior, has the most direct connection to the Cube, and therefore must prove his namesake.  Leaven is the member of the core group that does not have an official title, but her mathematical prowess as a student helps the group rise collectively.  Holloway, despite her untrusting and paranoid nature, is the emotional center of the group due to her medical background.  Outside of the core group, Rennes is the one who shows that even a supposed apt skill set is no help in the Cube, while Kazan is placed into the scenario as the wild card.

For such a bottled nature film, the layers and layers of information presented give the film infinite texture.  The combination of numbered rooms, odd colors and designs, and the threat of traps make the Cube seem like both a game and a punishment to those unlucky enough to find themselves trapped.  As mentioned above, the character traits take precedence over things like background or initial character connection, as the uniform costuming puts everyone on a level where their skill set becomes the important defining characteristic, and thus the true identifier of value and hierarchy.  The connection of character names to real world prisons is a nice touch, especially with the additional layer of Worth and Leaven’s eventual connection mirroring the combined nature of their respective prison’s name.

Maurice Dean Wint brings cop energy to the performance in terms of his aggressive and entitled nature, as well as presenting himself as certain in an uncertain situation.  By contrast, David Hewlett is the most existential of the group, having a deeper knowledge of the situation than most and choosing to accept defeat regardless.  Nicole de Boer brings the optimism of youth to the table, looking for any and every reason to move forward despite an intensely bleak situation.  Nicky Guadagni’s mental gymnastics she deals with are displayed powerfully in her eyes, making her the most manic of the group while simultaneously containing the best balance of humanity in her character.  Andrew Miller’s inspired performance provides the most rewarding reveals of the entire film.  Wayne Robson also provides us with a wonderful, though opposite, reveal that is largely due to his gruff choices during his performance.

I have tried my best to give insight into this film without revealing too much in terms of story, but even with a word by word description of this film, nothing can truly prepare you for the experience of sitting down and viewing it.  Despite it being a long shot, I think I will have to take any opportunity I get to see Cube on a big screen, as I am sure it will greatly enhance the already unique experience.