There has been an increase in time loop movies lately. I’d have said it’s because, since Covid, time has no meaning but most of these movies were made or started production before Covid, so…
Last night, me and the fella watched the new Boss Level, starring Frank Grillo, possibly best known from the Marvel universe but who’s also carved out a niche in action films. Mel Gibson is the baddie, working to regain his footing in Hollywood, and, wait, is that Naomi Watts? I had no idea she was in this?
Grillo’s character, Roy (derives from the word “king”) Pulver (not too much of a stretch to figure out this is just a shortening of “pulverize”) already knows he’s in some kind of time loop and the first scene is his description of how his day has started for the last 140-something days and his pursuit and assassination by a variety of assassin types. None of the assassins are well known actors so they have a generic kind of feel. Based on the name of the movie, it feels a bit like a video game – main character needs to solve puzzles and find prizes or gain assistance in order to get to the next level, or past a certain time on the clock, and solve the issue in his next Life.
This time loop movie differs in that it doesn’t start with his finding out he’s in a time loop; he knows he’s in a time loop and is somewhat resigned to his fate until clues surface in the loop and in his memory to help him either come to terms with how to make his day(s) worthwhile or solve the problem entirely. As with most of these types of movies, Roy learns things about himself and what’s important, both for his life and for the loop, but the ending is ambiguous – just like life. Did he succeed? Did he escape the loop? It’s not an arthouse movie; I’d have preferred something a little clearer as an ending but if I think of it as arthouse, I’m happier with the end.
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Naomi Watts has a smallish role, not quite sure how she was enticed into this but there’s nothing wrong with being a working actor and the film is good!
Gibson is always good but it’s still so hard to put aside his personal bullshit. Dude’s got some issues and I’d prefer he not be rehabilitated and I’m not sure why he was hired but despite myself, I still liked seeing him.
Frank Grillo’s obviously always been fit, and he’s pretty good within his range. He has also Super Buffed Out for this film and demonstrates it in one shirtless scene. I found myself commenting on it maybe a little too much for the boyfriend’s comfort. I know there’s a lot of prep involved in shooting those scenes (weightlifting and dehydration to accentuate muscle definition) but good eye candy for those who like looking at shirtless men. Interestingly, all female gaze in this one, very little in the way of boobs, which is kind of a nice change. Good date movie if that’s the gaze you own.
7/10 stars
GoldenRationalism 