Writer/Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Christian Bale, Harry Melling and Robert Duvall
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Britain have built a legacy as lasting as Harry Melling. Ever since his rise to fame during the 2000’s, Melling has proven to be a British icon. Whether it’s spoiled teens, medieval warriors or famous authors, Melling has portrayed countless powerful characters. Arguably, Melling’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has often poured his heart and soul into each role. Melling has never been afraid to take risks in his career by playing complex characters that aren’t likeable. Although he is best known for his role in the Harry Potter franchise, Melling has proven that he can excel in films in a wide range of genres. A British icon, Melling is an actor that audiences around the world always cherish. Throughout his lasting career, Melling has made many unforgettable movies that are worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Melling and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Pale Blue Eye” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2022, Scott Cooper’s movie offered a powerful murder mystery. Packed with bold production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best murder mystery films ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Harry Melling, who portrays a writer seeking to resolve a gruesome murder. Ultimately, what makes “The Pale Blue Eye” a mystery masterpiece is its bold appeal. Unlike most murder mysteries, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. Despite taking place in an earlier old-fashioned era, its themes remain relevant till today. A bold mystery masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “The Pale Blue Eye” is worth seeing.
Set in 1830 New York, “The Pale Blue Eye” tells the story of a detective investigating a murder with a close eye. Christian Bale plays Augustus Landor, a detective seeking to investigate grim murder. Augustus has often excelled at solving painful murders that come with a price to pay that’s dangerous. However, Augustus’ love for his work changes when he is given a tough job of a gruesome murder. A perplexing mystery, it requires Augustus to seek the assistance of a companion. Edgar Allen Poe (Harry Melling) is a gifted detective with flair for solving murder mysteries. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Augustus soon begins to wonder if he will ever be able to resolve a grisly murder. Faced with a dilemma, Augustus questions if it’s possible to resolve a murder which causes trauma.
Scott Cooper has always been fascinated with lives of gangsters committing murder. A stellar filmmaker, Cooper has often made memorable movies about murder. His award-winning film “Out of the Furnace” offered a bold portrait of hardships criminals committing murders face. With “The Pale Blue Eye”, however, Cooper had manufactured his first detective drama. It was Cooper’s first attempt to capture the tensions of gangsters facing a mystery but he pulled it off effectively. Using stunning cinematography, Cooper captures a detective embarking upon a journey to solve a mystery. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Evoking David Fincher’s “Se7en”, Cooper effectively employs low-key lighting to capture hardship detectives are experiencing. For instance, low-key lighting elevates the murder scene. During this intense scene, Augustus investigates gruesome scene of a murder causing tension. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Chris Columbus’ “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” suggested, low-key lighting enhances adaptations of legendary fantasy books. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Cooper conveys hardships detectives are facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Pale Blue Eye” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical point of view, the movie is extremely well made. Cooper effectively uses costumes to capture the tensions detectives seeking to solve murders are often enduring. Throughout the movie, Augustus’ costumes showcase his transformation into a detective resolving murders in a mystery. For instance, costumes elevate the meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Augustus has his first ever meeting with Edgar Allen Poe to discuss partnership in solving murders. Through bold costumes, Cooper creates a murder mystery audiences easily relate to. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Howard Shore’s music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden detectives seeking to solve murders bear. Through captivating production design, Cooper captures the lives of detectives that decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “The Pale Blue Eye” is a murder mystery that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, effectively using silence to capture tension endured by detectives that witness violence. For instance, silence enhances the murder mysteries scene. During this intense scene, Augustus uncovers shocking evidence of a murder with consequences that prove to be frightening. Through silence, Cooper creates portrait of murder mystery that’s captivating. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Antonio Campos’ “The Devil All the Time” demonstrated, silence enhances films about religious violence. Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” suggested silence elevates classic commemorated adaptations of Shakespeare plays. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using a spectacular screenplay, Cooper captures the lives of dedicated detectives seeking to resolve murders with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Harry Melling delivers one of his best career performances as Edgar Allen Poe. Melling earned appreciation for playing cousins of magical wizards enduring tension. With “The Pale Blue Eye”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a detective seeking to resolve a perplexing mystery, but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charming and devoted in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and ambition of a detective that seeks to resolve a mystery. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors in Britain today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for Harry Melling, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Christian Bale is captivating, capturing the bravery of a detective seeking to solve murders with drive to succeed rather than fail. Robert Duvall is remarkable, bringing determination to a police officer seeking to investigate murders which cause grim downfall. Lastly, Timothy Spall is unforgettable. As a victim of a murder mystery, brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Pale Blue Eye” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the tensions faced by detectives which terrify. Unlike most movies about detectives, the film tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It tackles interesting themes such as identity, mysteries and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with commemorated mysteries in history to enjoy it. It delivers a profound message about trauma which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Pale Blue Eye” is one of those rare commemorated one of a kind mystery movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Harry Melling will definitely enjoy “The Pale Blue Eye” and so wil movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting murder mystery, it honours an actor that has built a lasting legacy.
Nearly four years following the release of a captivating crime film about detectives seeking crimes to investigate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate making unforgettable movies about the lives of characters which deteriorate that audiences commonly appreciate.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 