The Box.

I'm quite a fan of Richard Kelly's.
I mean Donnie Darko could be up in my top 10 favourite movies. And I absolutely love Domino which he wrote, while Tony Scott directed.

Anyway The Box only confirms what a talented artist he is.
Based on a Richard Matheson short story, it sees an ordinary American family, all happy, receive the visit of a strange character, who gives them a box containing a "button unit". If they press the button, they receive $1M, but someone they don't know dies.
On this "what if?" concept, unfolds a complex moral fable.

Firstly, the technical side is flawless. The direction is fluid and elegant. The special effects very well integrated and the reconsitution of the 70s (although I only shortly lived them) seems to have been given so much care that it almost feels like a period movie...

This gives the perfect based for a masterfully told story, reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode. The tribute is paid as soon as the very first notes of the movie open (the score was handled by Arcade Fire's leading couple).
What starts like a family drama soon show signs of strangeness at every turn and goes into full blown SciFi at some point. However it has the very good taste to finish where it started. Which only makes the conclusion more poignant.

Judos have to be given to the interpretation here, with Cameron Diaz and James Mardsen portraying an awfully likeable leading couple. You're with them every steps of the way.
But the palm has to be given to Frank Langella. His Arlington Steward will certainly stay in a lot of memories as one of the most creepy baddies in a movie. Perfectly mannered, yet utterly creepy and unforgiving.

It's one of those movies that stay with you after the lights have come back, where you try to fit some small details back into place. The call for watching it again.

I was sick with a cold when coming in but even that couldn't prevent me from being stuck into yet another mindfuck from Mr Kelly...