The Nest

"The Nest," a 2020 movie directed by Sean Durkin, is a gripping domestic drama that explores the subtleties of marital discord and the impact of unkept promises on a seemingly perfect family. The plot revolves around a British trader, Rory, played by Jude Law, his American wife Allison, portrayed by Carrie Coon, and their two children played by Charlie Shotwell, and Oona Roche. It's a beautifully-structured narrative woven with unsettling undercurrents of tension and emotional drama that escalates with each passing moment.

Jude Law as Rory is an ambitious commodities broker who, after making a life built on the American dream, decides to move his family back to England, his homeland, in search of bigger opportunities. Allison, played by Carrie Coon, is a horse trainer who reluctantly leaves her settled American life to move into an English mansion that seems to be straight from the past. The couple’s children, Samantha and Benjamin, portrayed by Oona Roche and Charlie Shotwell respectively, struggle to adapt to life in their new country and the abrupt shift in their family dynamics.

"The Nest" expertly reflects on the repercussions of ambition and greed as Rory finds himself on a path of self-destruction, searching for opportunities that appear elusive. The financial pressure starts to create a stark divide between him and Allison, leading them to question their marriage, their decisions, and their future. Jude Law outstandingly portrays the image of a man steeped in desperation, who attempts to perpetuate the illusion of success, even as his life crumbles around him.

Carrie Coon gives a magnificent performance as Allison. She transitions from being a supportive wife, trying to hold her family together, to a woman dealing with frustration and anger resulting from Rory's recklessness. Her character's conflict and evolution are portrayed with sublime authenticity. Meanwhile, the children, Samantha and Benjamin, are grappling with their own forms of alienation and are caught in the crossfire of their parents' failing relationship.

Set in the 1980s, "The Nest" is as atmospheric, as it is engaging. Mátyás Erdély’s cinematography creates an eerie mood that dwells throughout the movie. The mansion in which the family resides acts as a looming symbol of Rory's unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. The ambiance of the film finely mirrors the themes of isolation, emptiness and the chase for an unreachable success. The haunting score, combined with the grand yet grim surroundings, further amplifies the sense of family drama and looming crisis.

On the whole, "The Nest" is a well-crafted psychological exploration of a family’s unraveling. It magnificently encapsulates the emotional scope of marital distress, elevated by the immaculate performances of Jude Law and Carrie Coon. The movie's intelligence lies in its ability to steadily build a captivating narrative using the day-to-day life of an ordinary family, making it relatable, yet intriguing.

"The Nest" isn’t your typical tale of a dysfunctional family. It masterfully interweaves elements of drama, money, and ambition with the emotional constructs of a family under duress. As a viewer, you’re not simply observing the predicaments of Rory and Allison. Instead, you’re placed right within the turmoil, experiencing the uncertainty, the angst, and the lingering hope that maybe, just maybe, things will get better.

Rich in subtlety and boasting remarkable portrayals of complex characters by its cast members, "The Nest" is a journey into the world of the family as it tries to navigate their disjointed lives amid their new and unfamiliar English surroundings. It patiently nudges the viewer to question their perceived notions of success and the sacrifices it often demands.

Ultimately, "The Nest" is a terrific showpiece for Jude Law and Carrie Coon, a drama imbued with intensity, and a narrative that resonates beyond the screen, leaving viewers with plenty to ponder about the value of family and the cost of ambition.