Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Latest
    • 3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)
    • 3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)
    • 3625. Ode To Joy (2019)
    • 3624. One Chance (2013)
    • 3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)
    • 3622. The Polka King (2017)
    • 3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)
    • 3620. Friendzone (2021)
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Home
    • Blog
      • All Posts
      • Best Of The Year
        • Best Of 2015
        • Best Of 2016
        • Best Of 2017
        • Best Of 2018
        • Best Of 2019
        • Best Of 2020
        • Best Of 2021
        • Best Of 2022
      • The Decade In Review
      • Box Office Analysis
      • James Bond
      • Oscars
      • RANKED
      • Star Wars
      • The Big Questions
      • Top 10
      • World Cinema
    • Ratings
      • Top 250
      • Top 100 Foreign Films
      • Bottom 50
      • 0 – 1.9
      • 2 – 3.9
      • 4 – 5.9
      • 6 – 7.9
      • 8 – 10
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Anthology
      • Animation
      • Christmas
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Documentary
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Film-Noir
      • History
      • Horror
      • Kids’
      • Musical
      • Psychological
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Short
      • Silent
      • Sport
      • Superhero
      • Survival
      • Thriller
      • Western
    • Release Year
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
      • 1930s
      • 1920s
    • Country
      • Afghanistan
      • Argentina
      • Australia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Brazil
      • Cambodia
      • Canada
      • Chile
      • China
      • Colombia
      • Costa Rica
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • East Timor
      • Faroe Islands
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Georgia
      • Greece
      • Hong Kong
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Ireland
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Japan
      • Latvia
      • Lebanon
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Mexico
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • North Korea
      • Norway
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Philippines
      • Poland
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • South Africa
      • Soviet Union
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Uganda
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Uruguay
      • Vietnam
      • Zambia
    • About
    The Mad Movie Man
    You are at:Home»Review»3048. Puzzle (2018)

    3048. Puzzle (2018)

    0
    By The Mad Movie Man on August 8, 2020 100-109 mins, 2018, 6 - 7.9, Aug 20, Drama, Movies Of 2020, Review, United States
    7.6 Heartfelt
    • Acting 7.7
    • Directing 7.6
    • Story 7.5
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0

    Starring: Kelly McDonald, Irrfan Khan, David Denman

    Director: Marc Turtletaub

    Running Time: 103 mins


    Puzzle is an American film about a reserved housewife who, upon discovering a love and talent for jigsaw puzzles, begins to come out of her shell.

    Slow and quiet it may be, but Puzzle is a film that really packs a punch once it builds itself up. Featuring impressive performances from Kelly McDonald and Irrfan Khan, the film is a touching and eye-opening view into a sheltered life and the beauty of discovering the wider world.

    On the surface, the story might not seem immensely remarkable. It’s an understated tale of a housewife who lives a reserved and repetitive lifestyle, yet doesn’t seek anything grander in the world. However, when she discovers the joy of jigsaw puzzles, and meets a man who shares her passion, her view on life begins to change forever.

    In that, there’s a touching and inspiring view on a woman who, even when seeming content with her lot in life, finds a new calling. In that role, Kelly McDonald is wonderful, subtly marking the transition from reserved housewife to a more assured and confident individual, while still retaining all the wonderful characteristics she had in the first place.

    It would have been very easy for this film to take a more dramatic direction here, not only showing a housewife coming out of her shell, but bringing in wider themes of a fight against repression that would have likely seen her turn her back on those she felt neglected by in her life.

    However, Puzzle is a far more down-to-earth film than that, and while there is certainly a shift in the power of the household, McDonald’s character never seeks revenge, but only seeks to be treated how she feels she deserves to be, a wonderfully measured and inspiring message of the film.

    Meanwhile, her fledgling relationship with Irrfan Khan, who begins to help her appreciate the wider world all the more, is equally wonderful. Whether or not the romantic side of their bond ends up a success, what McDonald’s character gains from her time with Khan is invaluable, while the time they share breathes fresh air into his own life.

    As ever, Irrfan Khan is incredible in a powerfully understated performance that manages to bring far more thought-provoking drama to the table than you’d ever expect at first. His chemistry with McDonald is wonderful, and the pair are able to work together while avoiding a more generic romantic or mentor-mentee dynamic too.

    In short, Puzzle is a really wonderful film that offers up engrossing, thought-provoking and touching drama fully grounded in reality. It’s inspiring at times, and with a slow and quiet style throughout, it affords you a lot of time to think and ponder on the themes it brings up. Bolstered by two wonderful lead performances, it’s an undeniably captivating watch, which is why I’m giving it a 7.6 overall.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The Mad Movie Man, AKA Anthony Cullen, writes articles and reviews about movies and the world of cinema. Since January 1st, 2013, he has watched and reviewed a movie every day. This is the blog dedicated to the project: www.madmovieman.com

    Related Posts

    7.1

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    Follow Me Online!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Tumblr
    New Releases
    5.3
    January 17, 2022

    3620. Friendzone (2021)

    7.1
    January 10, 2022

    3612. The Lost Daughter (2021)

    8.0
    January 7, 2022

    3609. Licorice Pizza (2021)

    7.2
    January 7, 2022

    3608. Lamb (2021)

    7.4
    December 30, 2021

    3599. The King’s Man (2021)

    6.3
    December 29, 2021

    3598. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

    8.4
    December 28, 2021

    3597. West Side Story (2021)

    6.3
    December 27, 2021

    3596. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

    Recommended Movies
    8.5
    Review
    June 27, 20140

    605. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)

    8.1
    Review
    May 19, 20180

    2153. Flight (2012)

    8.6
    Review
    February 1, 20130

    38. Horrible Bosses (2011)

    8.2
    Review
    July 21, 20130

    229. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

    8.5
    Review
    October 23, 20200

    3130. The Exorcist (1973)

    Popular Posts
    7.1
    January 24, 2022

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8
    January 23, 2022

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9
    January 22, 2022

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    7.4
    January 21, 2022

    3624. One Chance (2013)

    6.3
    January 20, 2022

    3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)

    7.5
    January 19, 2022

    3622. The Polka King (2017)

    6.0
    January 18, 2022

    3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)

    © 2022 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.