363. Ava; movie review

 

AVA

Cert 15

97 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence

The marvellous Jessica Chastain as an assassin? Nothing could possibly go wrong, could it?

Well, yes. Ava is not the worst film of 2020 by a long way but it could well be the most disappointing.

Tate Taylor's movie is surprisingly disjointed - caught between a full-on action film and spiky family drama, it falls short in both aspects.

And that is despite a high-quality cast including John Malkovich, Geena Davis and Colin Farrell.

Chastain plays the title character who is first seen posing as a driver to a prominent businessman before killing him.

However, her usual detachment from her targets is being questioned and becomes even more under the microscope when a job goes pear-shaped.

As she begins to get in touch with her emotions, she reunites with her estranged sister (Jess Weixler) and mother (Davis) who are both suspicious of her for different reasons.

The former is particularly concerned because she is now with Ava's ex-boyfriend (Common).

Anyway, while these domestic rivalries play out, Chastian is under pressure at work from her mentor (Malkovich) and her ambitious boss (Farrell).

Inevitably, with the star cast, international locations and a big budget, Ava looks good but, very surprisingly, it has little else going for it. 

I had hoped for Chastain to be akin to a female Jason Bourne but she looked strangely ill-at-ease.

Meanwhile, both Malkovich and Farrell are wasted in stereotypic roles which require no more than a bland presentation of humdrum dialogue and a bit of wrestling.

Sure, fans of the red stuff will be impressed by the body count and the various ways in which characters meet their maker.

However, as said, I expected more. Previously, Chastain's name was a byword for quality. Unfortunately, her reputation is tarnished.

Reasons to watch: Fast-moving thriller

Reasons to avoid: Surprisingly disjointed

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? Twenty-four hit-man-for-hire sites are the subject of an academic paper being prepared by Michigan State University professor Tom Holt and his student Ariel Roddy. The paper, which is being reviewed for publication, is the first academic effort to illuminate what has been a subject of endless intrigue.

The final word. Jessica Chastain: "Working with John Malkovich is everything I hoped it could be. Always meet your heroes." Twitter

 

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