The Rhythm Sction (2020)

The Rhythm Section turns out to be a fairly simple yet elegant action film. Perhaps simple isn't the right word. It isn't dumb and doesn't talk down to you. It just isn't complicated with superfluous stuff. It starts out with the premise laid out clearly and powerfully, takes us through its story until the end with efficiency and style, and then gives us the catharsis we need. Simple elegance.

Director Morano uses her skills as a cinematographer to ensure her film is lovely and electric. There is a discomfort to the whole thing that puts us in our protagonist's shoes, yet it all looks so wonderful and lush. But she does more than that. She gets honest performances out of her cast and tells her story in a way that grounds it while also making it exciting.

The violence is The Rhythm Section is visceral. You feel it. It's not all glossed and stylized. It feel raw. Lively's character isn't a superhero. She messes up more than she succeeds. But that's a big part of what makes The Rhythm Section work, part of what makes it enjoyable. I often wondered if it was going to work out.

While this is likely a one and done, The Rhythm Section shows a lot of promise and makes me wish this was just the beginning of Stephanie's story. I'm certainly interested in seeing what Morano might do next.

The Rhythm Section
Starring: Blake Lively, Jude Law, Sterling K. Brown, Max Casella, Raza Jaffrey
Director: Reed Morano
Writer: Mark Burnell