The Box
A grenade fired from a nearby hill kills the parents of a ten year old boy during the siege of Sarajevo in 1992. The Boy looses his ability to speak. A lady neighbor adopts and takes care of him. The Boy is thrown out from his destroyed apartment and begins to prowl around the city with a schoolmate. Too early and too soon, he goes through the process of growing up. He learns the meanings of such words as force, death, sex. He learns how to achieve. He learns about the values. He learns what matters the most. The Lady neighbor that takes care of him tries to shelter him and protect him. Unsuccessfully. The Boy rides to fall. Death and suffering become more frequent, and more severe. When the Lady neighbor's teenage son is killed by a sniper as a collateral damage, she then rejects the Boy. The Boy escapes the siege, and shoots from a cannon at the city.Fifteen years later, the Boy - now twenty five - and the Lady neighbor meet again. They are united in pain and suffering.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 1970s Virginia, a cash-strapped couple discovers a mysterious wooden box left on their doorstep. When they open it, they are presented with a life-altering choice: press a button and receive a substantial sum of money, but instantly cause the death of an unknown person somewhere in the world. Their decision plunges them into a moral and existential crisis, confronting the consequences of greed and the nature of humanity.
Critical Reception
The Box received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. While some praised its unique premise, atmospheric tension, and thought-provoking themes, others found its narrative convoluted, pacing uneven, and its philosophical explorations underdeveloped. The film was a commercial disappointment.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its intriguing, high-concept premise and unsettling atmosphere.
- Criticized for a narrative that becomes increasingly obscure and fails to fully deliver on its philosophical ambitions.
- Noted for its deliberate pacing and a sense of dread that doesn't always translate into a compelling story.
Google audience: Google users were divided, with many appreciating the film's originality and suspenseful build-up, but a significant number found the plot confusing and the ending unsatisfying. Some felt it was too slow, while others admired its attempt at a deeper message.
Fun Fact
Director Richard Kelly has stated that he was inspired by a short story called 'Button, Button' by Richard Matheson, which was also adapted into an episode of The Twilight Zone.
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