Greta Review — Excellent acting and lush cinematography can’t overcome a wholly holey script

The Crying Game is one of the most compelling films I’ve ever seen. Although its writer/director Neil Jordan won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay clear back in 1993, I still vividly remember many details. And who could forget that scene?

So when I heard that Jordan had co-written and directed Greta, I was extremely eager to see it. And when I heard it starred Chloe Grace Moretz (Kickass, Hugo, Let Me In) and Isabelle Hupert (Folies Bergere, Entre Nou, Amour), I couldn’t wait for the screening.

I should have paid attention to the fact that it’s being released during the February wasteland. The trailer (which is filled with spoiler and gives away the entire movie) promises a dark and suspenseful thriller, and there are some chilling moments, extremely well shot. But when it’s finally time to tie up the loose ends, there are gigantic plot holes, with the story being far too dependent on luck (both good and bad) and coincidence.

Moretz plays Frances, who has just moved to New York City from Boston, and is so naive that, when she finds a purse left on the subway, instead of taking it to the local police station and letting them contact the owner, or, calling the owner and arranging to meet at a coffee shop, she’s naive enough to ride her bike over to the owner’s address and drop in for tea. Who does that in this day and age? Especially not a career girl from Boston.

Greta (Huppert), the owner of the purse, appears at first to be a lonely, charming and cultured French woman who is as in need of a friend as Frances is in need of a mother figure, her mother having recently passed away. But the closer they get, the creepier Greta looks. She goes from clingy and desperate to downright deranged. Unlike the trailer, I’ll tell you no more.

One of the few worthwhile elements you won’t see in the trailer is Stephen Rae (unforgettable in The Crying Game), as a worldweary gumshoe. So if your expectations aren’t set too high, you could do worse than Greta.

Rated R

1 Hour 38 Minutes

If, after reading this Greta review, you’re interested in seeing it, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Greta Review — Excellent acting and lush cinematography can’t overcome a wholly holey script