REVIEW: ‘The Gorge’ Isn’ Your Typical Valentine’s Day Movie
Two elite operatives are sent by their respective countries to protect a mysterious gorge in AppleTV’s new original movie, The Gorge. Former Marine sniper, the United States send Levi (Miles Teller) to protest the East side while Lithuanian native, Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy) is sent by Russia to protect the West. For 365 days, the pair are supposed to work alone to protect their sides of the gorge from an unknown threat. However, when the two break protocol to meet, sparks fly and the two ultimately find out the truth about the gorge.
The Gorge isn’t your typical sci-fi/romance movie. Mainly because the two leads spend a majority of the movie separated. Levi and Drasa’s relationship grow through back-and-forth notes and binoculars. With a gorge separating them, director Scott Derrickson and writer Zach Dean have to find creative ways for the pair to build chemistry. Somehow, the two manage to pull it off. Through the lenses of binoculars and notes, the audience spends the first half of the movie counting down the minutes until the two finally meet and when they do it is all worth it.
Music plays a key part in this movie, as if it is a character of its own. Each song heard throughout the movie is used to add more depth to a particular scene. Most of the time it works, but there are some choices that seem a little odd. Without giving too much away, there is a part in the movie where the two characters have been finally united and the music choice seems odd at first, but as the scene plays out it almost works.
When it comes to cinematography, there is much to be desired. The filter used was too dark. It was hard to see what was going on because of how dark the scenes were. When watching this movie, make sure to watch it on a TV in the dark. I’m sure the filter was used to heighten the thought that are leads are trapped in places they know nothing about, but it was too much.
Teller and Taylor-Joy’s chemistry are off the charts in this movie. The two’s ability to show interest in each other through mere expressions is fantastic, but the chemistry explodes when the two are together. As the only two characters featured throughout the movie, the audience never loses interest. With the mystery of the gorge hanging over them, Dean has done just enough to keep the audience entertained without losing the sci-fi aspect.
Sigourney Weaver rounds out the cast as Levi’s boss, Bartholomew. In true Weaver fashion, you never know if you can trust her or not. Her ability to hide her character’s true intentions is always a joy to watch, and it is no different in this movie.
The Gorge doesn’t scream Valentine’s Day. But, if you are looking for a romance movie with a little action, The Gorge is for you. Is it a perfect movie? No, but I can count on one hand how many romance movies are. Filled with explosive chemistry and an intriguing storyline, I recommend giving the movie a watch on AppleTV this weekend.
Grade: B