A Quiet Place (15)

As has often been mentioned around here, life has a way of getting in the way of the things we actually want to do.

So it was with A Quiet Place - not only did it take longer than I hoped to actually see it, but getting round to writing the review took far longer than is right proper.

Still, we're here now....

...and we're still trying to get our breath back.

Now, we'd already heard via the lovely Wittertainment chaps that this film was a bit tense.

But no amount of warning can prepare you for just how tense this is.

From the opening scene of a deserted street, of a redundant street light, you're pulse is already starting to go and you're edging towards the front of your seat.

And by the time the credits roll you have a good case for asking for half your money back because at no point do you settle back and make full use of the chair provided.

The story is quite a simple one. In a dystopian near-future world, those who are still around exist in a silent world.

Sign language and whispers are all that are used to communicate.

The why is only slowly revealed, which just adds to the wonderful tension this film is built on.

It stars the wonderful Emily Blunt and real-life husband and star of the American version of The Office, John Krasinski.

Now, I'll be honest here, I've never got into the American version and we wouldn't say we were fans of Mr Krasinski's work...

...but after this...

BIG FANS.

Not only does he play his part with understated subtlety, but the talented little sod directed this film as well.

And in his hands, we've been gifted a modern classic.

Blunt is equally as good, while the child stars (Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe of Wonder fame) convey their fear and anger so convincingly it puts a number of adult stars to shame.

There are other aspects and themes we'd love to wax lyrical about here, but to do so would give away too much of the story - and this is one of those films where you really benefit from knowing as little as possible.

But you should know this.

We can't recall the last time a film gripped us from the opening scene, or kept us on the edge of our seat for 90 minutes, or made us want to scream out over laundry.

It brought back fond memories of The Mist and Alien in the way it kept a steady pace all the way through without ever getting boring or dragging it's heels.

And while there are couple of places where questions could be raised (a hurricane lantern when they have electricity?), this is such, such a good film you can forgive it its few flaws.

And there's not an ounce of flab anywhere. No scene is wasted, no dialogue unnecessary.

This is one tight little ship.

In an age of mega blockbusters, it's a genuine delight to find a film that is made with love, care, attention and for tuppence h'appeny an a bag of chips.

That such a film is just so good is full credit to the cast, writers and director.

It deserves to be watched again and again for years to come.