Puzzle

Puzzle is an understated but deeply satisfying movie released in 2018, directed by Marc Turtletaub and written by Oren Moverman and Polly Mann. The film stars Kelly Macdonald, Irrfan Khan, and David Denman, each delivering exceptional performances that bring the film's nuanced characters to life.

Kelly Macdonald plays the role of Agnes, a suburban mother from Connecticut to whom life is a predictable, monotonous washing cycle of uninspiring household chores and familial responsibilities. Her role is a dutiful wife to Louie (David Denman), a mechanic, and a caring mother to their two sons - Gabe (Austin Abrams) and Ziggy (Bubba Weiler). Though deeply entrenched in her uneventful life, Agnes is complacent, showing little desire for change or rebellion against this circular, domestic existence. Her role is very well-matured, embodying a sense of quiet stoicism wrapped in an unassuming gentle verve.

The film gets its title from a key element of the plot - jigsaw puzzles. On Agnes's birthday, she receives a 1,000-piece puzzle as a gift - an object that opens a doorway to a whole new world for her. She discovers an untapped skill and a passion for not just assembling puzzles, but for the meditative quietude that comes with fitting the tiny pieces together. This transcendental journey through the cluttered pieces engrosses her, becoming a metaphor for her contemplation and self-realization.

Her newfound hobby takes a transformative turn when she meets Robert (Irrfan Khan) following an advertisement for a puzzle partner. Robert is a wealthy inventor from New York who lives a leisurely life due to his healthy inheritance. His character is brilliantly nuanced and layered. Grieving over a heartbreak, Robert is brooding, yet radiates a certain charm. Irrfan Khan gives the character a delicate depth making him wonderfully paradoxical and humane. Their personalities create an intriguing dynamic as they prepare to participate in a national jigsaw puzzle championship.

The film focuses not just on Agnes’s burgeoning friendship with Robert and their preparations for the competition, but also on her unique personal journey. Her interactions with Robert spark a curious realization about her own dormant desires and unexplored potentials. With each extensive puzzle-solving session, Agnes manages to put together scattered pieces of her own life and starts to comprehend her aspirations that lie beyond her long-established domestic shell. The film beautifully portrays this theme of self-discovery through the metaphor of puzzle solving.

David Denman, playing the part of Louie, gives a compelling performance as Agnes’s uncouth but loving husband. His character graph unfurls gradually as he grapples with the changes in Agnes and the discomforting turbulence it brings into their ordinary life. The performances by Austin Abrams and Bubba Weiler, as Agnes and Louie’s sons, supplement the storyline effectively, further adding to the family dynamics.

Puzzle is a deeply introspective film that gently leads its characters and viewers to moments of quiet self-realization, reinforced by the brilliant performances by the lead actors. The movie features an array of beautifully composed scenes, each isolated moment resonating with style and substance. Christopher Norr’s spot-on cinematography complements the storytelling, adeptly capturing Agnes's transition from her monotonous domestic life to her newfound freedom and self-awareness.

The film draws its strength from the everyday minutiae of Agnes's life - how she navigates an evolving sense of self and her yearning for something more fulfilling, hence making 'Puzzle' a bold statement of her individuality. The impeccably written script, engaging dialogues, and striking performances evoke a gamut of emotions and immerse the audiences in Agnes's awakening.

"Puzzle" is a movie that can be best described as a nuanced exploration of self, life and freedom, beautifully captured through the escapism of puzzle-solving. With a triumphant blend of simplicity, subtlety, and profoundness, the film does not just entertain but also leaves the viewer with meaningful introspection. It stands as an exquisite portrait of ordinary lives, yearning passions, and transformative self-discoveries.