A Truly Unique & Surreal Noir

The Actor is a true experience of a film — an artistically and intellectually gripping one, or a confusing and boring one, depending on the audience. The film’s superb lead performance, production design, and poetically philosophical approach will be eagerly imbibed by some viewers who will be quick to call The Actor a masterpiece, while most mainstream audiences will be left restless by its odd pacing and lack of romantic chemistry. Your reaction to the film utterly depends upon your cinematic proclivities. The arthouse crowd will surely gush while the Average Joe may want to steer clear. If you’re somewhere in between the two, summon an adventurous spirit and rush to see the film before it disappears from theaters all-too-soon.

Initially set in 1950s Ohio, an actor (André Holland) wakes up in a small town’s hospital after being attacked for a dalliance with a married woman. He has no memory of the violent incident or his life before. His wallet identifies him as Paul Edwin Cole from New York City. The doctor informs him that his theater troupe has left town, and he’d better do the same as soon as possible. The local sheriff (Toby Jones) doesn’t take kindly to infidelity and a wayward lothario.

‘The Actor’ Is a Technical Achievement

The amnesiac Paul doesn’t have enough money for a bus ride to the Big Apple. The station agent (Olwen Fouéré) says he can get as far as Jeffords, another small town further east. Paul gets on the bus in a discombobulated fog. He arrives in Jeffords nearly broke, but gets a stroke of luck and kindness. Paul secures lodging from a kind renter (Tracey Ullman) and a job doing manual labor at the local tannery. His memory hasn’t returned except for a gnawing need to get back to New York before Christmas. Paul becomes the talk of the town until a fateful encounter at the movie theater gives him his first inkling of desire. The beautiful Edna (Gemma Chan), intrigued by the handsome Paul, takes a chance with the mysterious stranger.

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Anomalisa co-director Duke Johnson continues to show technical acumen in his live-action feature debut. The Actor is filmed entirely on sound stages with the supporting ensemble playing multiple roles. The plot parallels the format of a lurid black and white soap opera that Paul’s landlord religiously watches. This is the first inclination that what we’re seeing may be an illusion or a false memory that Paul’s unconsciously emulating.

Filming André Holland’s Fading Memories

Johnson uses innovative lighting cues to frame the protagonist’s uncertain state of mind. The Actor’s characters are bathed in a constant glow that’s purposely hazy. Distances also end in complete darkness. You literally can’t see anything further than Paul’s immediate physical perspective. Johnson’s cinematography reflects Paul’s fragile mental state and his inability to remember anything clearly. Paul carries a notepad where he writes down important details. It’s the only way for him to keep a grip on present reality while searching for the truth about his former self.

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Paul is intrinsically cautious at the start of his journey. He wants to reclaim his old life, but soon comes to realize that this new version of Paul may be a completely different animal. Every encounter with people who knew Paul, his supposed friends, and former lovers leaves him feeling more confused and hollow. Their discovery doesn’t replace his intense attraction to Edna. She spurs a deep longing that’s not filled by finding answers. He’s a better man for knowing her without the burden of his past. Holland embodies the film’s philosophical theme of starting over with a blank slate.

‘The Actor’ Sidelines Romance for Mystery

Unfortunately, The Actor fails to adequately adapt the character of Edna from its source material (the novel Memory by prolific author Donald E. Westlake). Johnson never establishes a believable connection that fuels Paul’s need for her, nor does he give Edna a personality. Paul and Edna don’t have much screen time together. They meet accidentally and are close as peas and carrots within minutes. This isn’t a knock against Chan’s acting ability. She’s just not given much to do. Paul and Edna’s lack of a realistic connection may have metaphorical value, but for most audiences, their scenes will torpedo the film’s pacing.

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The Actor is absolutely worth seeing for cinephiles who can appreciate its best tenets. Others may respect the artistry and creative effort on display, but if they’re used to big-budget franchises, they probably won’t make it to the end of Duke Johnson’s new film. The Actor is a production of Innerlight Films, Underscore Films, andWaypoint Entertainment. It will be released theatrically on March 14th from NEON. Find tickets and more information here.