Square, The

Square, The is an enticing Australian crime and thriller movie released in 2008, directed by Nash Edgerton and co-written by Nash's brother Joel Edgerton and Matthew Dabner. The film stars David Roberts in the leading role and Claire van der Boom as his love interest. What distinguishes Square, The from other movies of the genre is its unique style that blends suspense and deep human emotions into an incredibly suspenseful and engrossing narrative.

David Roberts portrays Ray Yale, a construction supervisor leading a middling life. He's been secretly planning a future with Carla Smith (Claire van der Boom), his neighbor's young, energetic and gorgeous wife. However, their plans to escape their humdrum lives are not as simple as they may seem. The film delves deep into the pitfalls of seemingly clear-cut morality, funnelling us down a rabbit hole of greed, mistrust, and a multitude of wrong decisions.

One of the film’s main accomplishments is developing an authentic sense of dread and impact, filling each scene with suspense and a nagging sense of impending disaster. Where another director might have softened the edges, Nash Edgerton dives into the complexity of their morally ambiguous characters, forcing viewers to grapple with their actions and the pain that ripples out from them. The result is a narrative that’s simultaneously harrowing, thrilling, and profoundly human: a thrilling testament to the fragilities and flaws that define us.

David Roberts, in the lead role, effectively conveys the emotional depth and desperation of a man pulled into a pit of moral chaos wherein every decision he takes, ostensibly to fix things, only makes matters worse. Claire van der Boom, portrays Carla, who's dissatisfied with her current life and dreams of a better life with Ray, provides an equally strong performance. Their chemistry is palpable and serves as the emotional foundation of the film.

Director Nash Edgerton has created an optimal mise-en-scene echoing film noir atmosphere, with rainy nights, shadowy figures, and a small town hiding big secrets. The film's noir influence is not just manifest in its visual style but also in its themes of doomed romance, betrayal, and escalating violence.

Moreover, the film's narrative deploys a variety of elements from the heist and crime genres. It explores a meticulously planned theft that goes comically wrong, a stash of stolen cash, suspicious detectives, and hired goons. This perfect cocktail of tropes ensures an engaging and immersive viewing experience filled with multiple surprises.

The screenplay by Joel Edgerton and Matthew Dabner develops a tension-filled narrative with sharp twists, underlining the desperation of its main character to escape his spiraling circumstances. Complementing the engaging screenplay is the soul-stirring score by Francois Tetaz, creating an atmospheric and emotionally dense soundscape that intensifies the narrative's tension and dramatic moments. The cinematography by Brad Shield captures the grim tones of the narrative beautifully and enriches the film's visual storytelling.

Notably, Square, The is laden with symbolism. The title itself serves as a metaphor for the characters' desire to remain 'square,' or honorable, within a world that constantly demands otherwise. This metaphor reverberates throughout the film, exposing the ironic contradiction of striving to be 'square' in a world that’s anything but.

Viewers who relish crime thrillers that combine suspense with intricate character examination will find Square, The immensely captivating. It is an exploration of the human predicament when caught in the vortex of greed, lust, deceit, and treachery. This film is an expertly crafted piece of cinema that will keep you on the edge of your seat while prodding you to reflect on moral dilemmas and human frailties. What sets Square, The apart is its ability to blend the conventional aspects of film noir and crime genres with a deep-seated exploration of character and morality, making it a must-watch for lovers of intense and intelligent thrillers.