Presence - review
What’s that, a wacky high-concept single-camera almost one-take feeling movie? Well that must be our boy Steven Soderbergh doing what he does. His latest Presence didn’t entirely work for me, but it’s not without its charms. Presence skillfully positions the audience into the perspective of an ethereal being, which is attached to a particular house by way of traumatic events. We witness a young family move into the home and go about their daily lives. Soon after, it’s apparent that the family is dealing with a series of ongoing issues. Although novel, these relationships aren’t that compelling to watch unfold. So why didn’t this work for? Simply put, I found the perspective more of a distraction than an aid to the storytelling. I kept catching myself being too aware that there’s a camera person in the scene, effectively breaking that magical bond we’re all seeking with movies. It was a constant reminder of the artifice of it all. Notwithstanding that, I appreciate the swings...