IR Film Review: EENIE MEANIE [20th Century Studios/Hulu]
The aspect of a good heist film can work if there is stakes. Energy and chemistry says a lot but sometimes that idea can overtake the narrative (depending if it is strong enough). This is the issue with "Eenie Meanie" starring Samara Weaving as the lead Edie, a getaway car driver who is retired but gets pulled back in. The film is a bunch of fun but the one thing it does off-kilter is that it creates consequences for some but none for others. In terms of scenes and energy, for the most part, it works great. The prologue tries to establish something but it is almost lost in translation. One gets the feeling that there was more to the story and the film than actually comes out on screen. Weaving as Edie is just smoldering and intense in this role but with her recent roles in "Ready Or Not" and its upcoming sequel, one looks at what she wants to establish herself to be. She is reminiscent of Anya Taylor Joy in certain ways and definitely has the action bug so it depends if the scripts rise up to meet her.
"Eenie Meanie" comes from 20th Century Studios. It is the kind of mid range budget film that used to come to the theaters. This comes directly to Hulu but it has the production element of a theatrical. The supporting cast is pretty good but some get more to do than others. Andy Garcia as Nico comes off fit and intense but this is a more grizzled version of who he is, obviously different from his Oceans or Godfather days but he finds the balance. Steve Zahn also is in the film briefly and has a very good scene with Weaving which ultimately grounds the film leading into another scene between her and John (Karl Glusman) which is what makes the film worth watching. Edie comes back to find John for a specific reason and it motivates everything in the film. Edie won't give up on this guy though she certainly does try. Glusman plays him with an aloofness that actually has a neat undercurrent of tenderness for a guy who is lost except for one thing. In an age of woke and being strong through and through, the great thing about the film is that this shows the cracks and everybody makes bad decisions because their gut gives them conflicting thoughts.
That is why a coda at the end makes so much sense even if other parts of the film leave some glaring holes. In many ways, the film is similar to "Reindeer Games" which wanted to do something similar with great leads, a good cast and a capable director but a script that needed more work. The action work with the cars here is quite well done and the film doesn't pull certain punches. Even Randall Clark prompts a cool little scene with his trademark humor. But some series (say "Butterfly") can look better because sometimes more money is spent on event series than mid range features anymore, which is a shame. This used to be the bread and butter for movie theaters and make a profit but the economics have changed. "Eenie Meanie" is a fun romp which does take itself seriously at certain points (almost too much so). This gives some good scenes for Weaving for sure (like many during the similarly paced "Battle At The El Royale"). But as always it is great to see some original IP that uses some throwbacks to bring in a balance of audience enjoyment. B+
By Tim Wassberg
