A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE- NYFF capsule review

The prestigious New York Film Festival 63 recently wrapped things up while simultaneously launching the greatly anticipated awards season. Given its opening at the end of September (9/26- 10/13), combined with its limited and highly curated roster, the NYFF can often seem like the “greatest hits’ of the European festival line up. For those of us reviewers and cinephiles who don’t get to make the European festival circuit, that’s not such a bad thing, especially given NYFF also manages to sprinkle in a few world premier films as well.

A House of Dynamite (Paula’s Pick)- If you liked “Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty”, you won’t be disappointed with this latest film by Kathryn Bigelow. “A House of Dynamite” explores the military and political protocols launched when a foreign missile is detected and targeted for the United States, specifically Chicago. It is filmed from the point of view of three different agencies and/or people and in three segments, and headed up by a fantastic cast, including Rebecca Ferguson (“Silo” and “Dune”), Idris Elba and Tracy Letts. Time is of the essence, with only minutes available for the agencies/representatives, including the president, played by Idris Elba, to make life and death decisions. A response to a global catastrophic event is in the hands of a select few, most importantly the president.

“A House of Dynamite” is shot in the raw and kinetic style that Bigelow is known for, making audiences feeling as close to the mounting tension as possible. It is a political/military thriller that will have audiences on the edge of their seats from the first frame to the last… and more than likely shouting at the screen when all is said and done. The pervasive feelings are intrigue and fear, once hit with the awareness that this is a plausible scenario.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Writer: Noah Oppenheim
Stars: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Tracy Letts
Country: United States
Language: English
Production companies: First Light, Netflix
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 1h 52m