THE CHANGED - Review
DISTRIBUTOR: Quiver Distribution
SYNOPSIS: Kim, Mac, Kurt and Jane are sheltering in the basement where they have their neighbor Bill tied to a chair. Something has transformed their neighbors and Bill tried to assault Mac. As they debate what to do and try to understand if it's just their paranoia, the city around them is besieged by the changed. As they come to realize an alien intelligence has merged with their neighbor, their time is running out as a horde of the changed is amassing outside their suburban home.
REVIEW: From Kafka to McCarthyism, many films have addressed the idea of the other. Cinematically, a frequently remade tale is “The Body Snatchers,” the science fiction novel by Jack Finney, originally serialized in Collier's magazine in November and December of 1954. It was published as a novel in 1955 and the film adaptation hit screens in February 1956, directed by Don Siegel and released by Allied Artists Pictures. The original concept was alien spores that grew into pods that absorbed and replaced people.
In Michael Mongillo’s THE CHANGED, the alien invader is shrunken down to cellular level that is transferred via a kiss. The concept of using a kiss takes on a biblical tone as Christ was betrayed by Judas with a kiss. Given the current social climate, the idea of “the other” is a s relevant today as in the 1950’s. The plot is a demonstration of a conservation of budget as it has limited locations and characters. It is an independent film and it feels a bit like a stage production they were able to break out by using a location, a house. The narrative does not offer anything new nor does it take the opportunity to incorporate the contemporary social climate. The dialogue feels rethreaded, at times flat and has no pop.
The performances go a long way in elevating the material, but never far enough to allow the viewer to feel a connection to the characters. Likewise, there is no passion or peril being generated by the central cast members to generate any suspense or horror. Veteran actor Tony Todd is clearly cast for name recognition. Based on his many memorable characters and performance he is under utilized here as he does his best with delivering his performance mostly tied to a chair as the other characters debate what he is and what to do with him.
The production values are utilitarian. There are effects and action sequences with quick cutaways in order to save on visual and special effects. The location is fine and looks lived in and the costumes are effective. Michael Mongillo’s direction is fine and he keeps the film moving along so it never becomes boring. Again, it is a bit flat as it feels more like a stage production than a motion picture.
THE CHANGED has really changed much. I feel that the concept still offers much to be mined if it is skillfully crafted to reflect the times we find ourselves in. It’s not a bad film, it just feels like a missed opportunity as it pays more of a homage to the previous films and does not elevate the material. Likewise, we’ve seen these characters before. Ultimately, it feels like an exercise that could have more easily been addressed with a short film than a feature, which likely could have been more engaging given the format.
CAST: Clare Foley, Jason Alan Smith, Carlee Avers, Tony Todd, Doug Tompos, Olivia Freer, and Kathy Searle. CREW: Director/Screenplay - Michael Mongillo; Screenplay - Matt Giannini; Producers - Eloise Asmuth & Taylor Warren; Cinematographer - Rj LaRussa; Score - Len Miller; Editor - Taylor Warren; Art Direction - Suzanne M. Marquis; Special Effects - Mercedes McCoy; Costume Designer - Kate Bunce OFFICIAL: www.deepestclarity.com FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/bvF_niKItiM RELEASE DATE: In Theaters & On Demand March 4th, 2022
**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)
Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri
