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 Mr Soderbergh takes. He could’ve delivered just another haunted house flick, but instead strives to find the new in a tried and tested formula. 

 For me the performances were unfortunately a mixed bag. Lucy Liu (Rebekah) and Chris Sullivan (Chris) play the parents of Callina Liang (Chloe) and Eddy Mayday (Tyler). Maybe I’m biased as a newish dad, but I really liked the performances of Chris and Chloe, as father and daughter who clearly confided in one another throughout the tumultuous times for the family. It felt real and lived in. Conversely, I never bought Rebekah constant dotting over Tyler, despite his increasingly toxic behaviour. At times Tyler edged towards the cartoonish. West Mulholland plays West, a menacing peripheral character who like Tyler, was played was too broadly for my liking. 

 Although it didn’t quite work for me, i feel compelled to encourage folks to catch Presence. At times it feels like i dare say cause i hate the expression, an ‘art house’ effort, but dear reader, for those brief moments when it works, it truly sings. I want to have lengthy conversations with folks after it. It’s the kind of film you’d see and then grab a few wines to breakdown with a mate.

If you see the film and agree or disagree with my take, feel free to drop us a comment below, or pop over to our Facebook page to have a chat. We love hearing from everyone after they catch up with new releases. 

- Stu