The Unforgivable

This is no minimalist, award-winning art-house of the kind that win awards with a similar setting and themes (e.g. Manchester by the Sea), but it is a powerful and, thanks to that, touching crowd-pleaser. Sandra again goes full throttle. Who would have said that about her in 1994... (12/13/2021)

Even my least favorite genre can surprise once every five years and this is definitely one of those exceptions. Along with Cherry, the best, most intense drama of the year. It's a bit of drama with crime elements, which is fine, it's not some socially boring shit for introverts and pensioners, but a properly uncomfortable and gritty film from a harsh setting and a harsh reality, with Sandra Bullock reaching for an Oscar and giving one of the best female performances of the last couple of years. (I believed her all the way.) It’s the story of a woman who is released from prison after 20 years for one of the worst crimes, shooting a police officer. A harsh return to a reality that definitely does not treat such people nicely and the pain is just about everywhere (housing, work, wherever). Great atmosphere, excellent soundtrack, amazing actors (apart from Sandra, Jon Bernthal, Vincent D'Onofrio and Viola Davis are also brilliant), with tense and stifling scenes that instantly give you goosebumps, and the emotions escalate so that at the end tears just flow whether you want them or not, and most of there are all a load of pretty decent twists and turns, with the final one being one of the best in a long time. One of those movies where after it's over I think to myself, this was damn good and I'd love to see it again. Netflix hit one of the genre highlights of the year.Story 5/5, Action 2/5, Humor 2/5, Violence 1/5, Fun 5/5 Music 5/5, Visuals 4/5, Atmosphere 5/5, Suspense 4/5, Emotion 5/5, Actors 5/5. 9/10. (12/14/2021)

The Unforgivable is a gritty drama that showcases Sandra Bullock playing very much against type. Honestly, if you ran into her in the middle of nowhere, you’d probably mistake her for a local hermit. The film’s theme is filled with family drama and a lingering sense of despair. The finale, set to the sounds of Radiohead, was quite satisfying. (12/10/2021)

I admit, I was really looking forward to this film. I know how talented Sandra Bullock is as an actress; she’s proven it many times before. The Unforgivable has a quality premise, that’s undeniable. The acting here is truly spectacular. Whether it’s the lead actress or the supporting cast (the duo of Vincent D'Onofrio and Viola Davis is exceptional!), the film offers countless emotionally charged moments, with everyone involved competing to claim the title of best actor. However, I have to mention that I was expecting a slightly more developed storyline. Don’t get me wrong, the grim setting of Seattle adds extra points to the film's overall pessimistic tone, but the plot twists didn’t captivate me as much as I had hoped. The ending built up immensely, and I was expecting a conclusion that would blow me away. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. It’s certainly a quality drama, but it lacks a few elements to reach its full potential. For me, it’s a 7/10. (06/12/2022)

It has potential, a dense atmosphere, a smart script at least in the first half, and a good job with the narration of the plot. Unfortunately, it's dragged down to average by the not-quite-grasped second half and especially by the fatally inadequate work with the supporting characters, played by otherwise excellent actors (Bernthal, D’Onofrio, Davis), who don't have much to do because they didn't write very good/interesting/important roles for them. The Unforgivable is a film about one person: Sandra Bullock, who is fantastic. (12/15/2021)