Iffy for 13+
Creepy thriller too confusing for kids, awful for adults.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this Cameron Diaz thriller from the director of Donnie Darko is based on a macabre premise: that human beings would rather win money than protect a stranger's life. It's too confusing and intense for tweens and young teens, and, in addition to the cloud of violence hovering over the entire movie, there are several disturbing images, including an upsetting disfigurement; two women being killed at close range; people who have eerie, unexpected nosebleeds; a fatal car accident; and gun violence. The swearing is fairly mild (one use of "s--t" is as strong as it gets), the sexuality is limited to the main couple kissing passionately and embracing, and the drinking is mostly social and done by adults. Still, most kids won't want to bother figuring out the movie's dark themes and puzzling plot.
- Families can talk about what the movie's experiment says about human nature. Is money more important than a stranger's life?
- What would have you done given the same choice? Was what happened after the characters "hit the button" predictable?
- Do movies have to be believable or relatable to be entertaining?
The good stuff
-
Messages: Despite the movie's overwhelmingly negative message about humans being more selfish than selfless, Norma and Arthur's actions ultimately prove that as parents, at least, they have enough unconditional love for their child to be completely self-sacrificing.
-
Role models: Despite their decision to hit the "button unit," Norma and Arthur are repentant and remorseful about their actions and go to great lengths to try to right their wrongs. They never spend any of the money they "won" and instead try to track down the many mysteries surrounding the strange offer they were given.
What to watch for
-
Violence: The entire movie is based on a violent premise: Couples must decide whether to sentence someone they don't know to death and win $1 million or to pass up the lucrative offer. There's also gun violence, scenes that feature two dead women, a kidnapped child, and other bizarre, disturbing goings on. One of the main characters is horribly disfigured in the face, and another protagonist is missing almost all of the toes on her foot. Characters often have strange nose bleeds and act creepily in general.
-
Sex: A married couple embraces several times, exchanges longing looks, and kisses passionately.
-
Language: On the milder side -- one use of "s--t," plus "hell," "damn," "stupid," and "Jesus" used as an exclamation.
-
Consumerism: Corvette, Jack Daniels, and JVC are all seen.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults drink wine, cocktails, and champagne at a rehearsal dinner and reception. Arthur says he "needs a drink" and has a glass of whisky.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
A Real Review... by xoandre
I have read the majority of the reviews posted here on Fandango and yet decided to take the chance and see THE BOX. In this society filled with ADD and ADHD, I can understand how some of the reviewers were bored with this film. It is a very artistic and stylish period piece wherein some extraordinary actions take place.While the film's plot is an extrapolation from the short story "Button, Button" by Richard Matheson, it goes above and beyond that story, filling in gaps and taking privilege with the action and conclusion to the tale.
Cameron Diaz and Frank Langella really burn the screen with their intensity, while James Marsden captures the 'everyman' heart of the film.Over all, this is a film you must attend with an open mind and patience for the fruits of the plotline to ripen as you watch. If you prefer films filled with action and fast-paced plot wrapped up inside of an hour and a half, this will probably bore you. However, if you can appreciate the subtleties of a good film, GO!
2
Only for hardcore Twliight Zone fans by RandytheMovieFan
Don't be fooled by the trailers, which makes this movie look like a darker version of "indecent Proposal", that is, creepy but still a fairly conventional morality tale. After seeing the movie I realized that it is a remake of a mid-1980s New Twilight Zone episode, which came from an early 1970s short story by master science fiction author Richard Matheson. In stretching the short story into a feature length film, the plot line morphs into a gloomy, silly and extremely confusing array of scenes and under-written characters. It lost so many audience members along the way that I actually heard some hissing when the movie ended. And this was a sneak preview crowd that got in for free! I am a hardcore Twilight Zone fan and so probably liked it more than the average film goer, but that isn't saying much. If you really want to see this movie in a theater then act quickly because I think the word of mouth will kill it after its first week.
5
Symbolically Powerful by SupaKat
Like Kelly's other films, "The Box" is not about what it seems to be about. In order to get the most out of this film, you should be prepared to look beyond what is happening and instead analyze the underlying symbolic meaning. The movie is rich in symbolism, and beautifully shot. Even the colors of the couple's apartment have arguable symbolic significance. The movie lulls you in with warm scenes of normalcy, home and family. It is not until much later in the film that some truly creepy and disturbing events begin to occur. This is not a movie for an intellectually lazy movie goer. This is not a movie of cheap thrills. If you enjoy theological debate and existential pondering, I highly recommend the film. Exactly who is the mysterious stranger? Who or what does he represent? Is the button on the box really a button on a box, or is it a re-interpretation of a classic story of female temptation? Excellent film. Go in with your thinking cap on. Reminds me a bit of Hitchcock and Lynch.
1
Pointless by jebond76
This movie was the 2nd lamest movie I think I've ever seen. (What rated #1 as the worst movie I've seen? The Fountain.) I liked the original Twilight Zone episode with this story, but this movie carried it too far beyond that without any point. There were so many "extras" that really never connected for me or my husband. Overall, it was just a waste of my time. Don't waste yours.
4
The Box by keatsgirl
Hello out there.This is my first review. Please let me know if this is how it's supposed to go.
I saw this movie the first time and thought it was insane. BF decided we should try it again and we have seen it 2 more times,and this is what we think. The Box is a very smart,deep idea and everything eventually makes sense. But it doesn't if you don't see it a few times. Unless you are highly intelligent,do not spend the money at the theatre. Buy it and watch it a few times. The director should have taken into account the average audience he would get if he wanted it to be a people pleaser.But if he just wanted to make a good mystery he did a good job. My biggest complaint is the random bunch of people in the crowd scenes who had nothing to do with anything. We will buy this. Thanks for reading.
4
The Box Rocks! by cgbt122
Very well done movie. If you've seen Donnie Darko, and were frustrated with its complexity, this movie will interest you. Not too complex, great acting, and an awesome story. Enjoy!
1
The worst movie in 2009 by pcecere
I wanted to kill myself..
5
Phenominally great! by rcsaxby
This movie is refreshing. Unlike other movies that are weird and annoying, because they are being weird just for the sake of it, this movie is different. Every minute of the movie is valuable and has something to do with the plot which is so deep I still cant stop thinking about it. Cameron Diaz does a great job as well. Most movies the people doing the southern accents really suck at it. I grew up in the South and man she got the accent right on. And the way it was filmed, it really looked like they pulled old analogue equipment off the shelves to film this and record the film score, absolutely beautiful (the editing was also insane!). Loved this movie. Better than Donnie Darko! If your tired of the same old mind numbing BS at the theaters (and everywhere else) than go see this movie.
2
Don't waste your time by agingold
Horrible waste of time, 2 hours was too long for this movie. Wasn't interesting or exciting in any way.
5
Definitely see this movie by 4x4trux
So I read all the reviews before going to see the movie....I don't know what people are thinking. This was a great film. It wasn't hard to follow at all, and the two hours went super quickly. I thought it was entertaining, and very interesting. I liked it a lot! Go see it!