IEvery film has its own hero. For some, it’s the story. For others, it’s the lead character or ensemble cast. Then there are those who have peerless visuals or impeccable background scores. tobias lindholm netflix movie the good nurse There is a good mix of all the versions of these heroes.
If you haven’t seen the trailer or know anything about the premise of the film, I suggest you stop reading here and come back after watching the 123-minute feature film.
Based on the heartwarming true story of a serial killer, the good nurse It is an adaptation of a widely researched book of the same name by Charles Graber. The serial killer named Charles Cullen (played by the ever so effortless Eddie Redmayne) is notorious but seemingly harmless. He goes from hospital to hospital as a nurse without being caught in 1996 Pennsylvania.
As he starts a new job at his 9th hospital, he befriends Amy (the equally brilliant Jessica Chastain), a fellow nurse during the cemetery shift at Parkfield Memorial Hospital. Amy is a single mother suffering from heart disease. Her doctor warns her about the seriousness of her condition and suggests a longer medical leave. Due to her circumstances and no health insurance, she has no choice but to slog during long, tiring work hours.
Amy finds emotional support in Charles aka Charlie as she comes to know about his condition at a low chance. Their bond strengthens as they deal with marital crisis and parenthood. But things take a turn for the worse when a patient dies under mysterious circumstances, and seven weeks later, the hospital approaches the police to investigate the matter.
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smooth performance
The two lead characters—Redmayne and Chastain—have over thirty years of acting expertise.
A glimpse of his filmography will give you a rough idea of his versatility and powerhouse talent. be it The Danish Girl (2015), Theory of Everything (2014), either Fantastic Beasts The series, Redmine, has a unique spontaneity with the camera. in here the good nurse, he doesn’t have much to say but his eyes speak loudest as soon as the camera closes him. In a crucial scene towards the end, Redmayne’s character is being questioned. As the detective continues to investigate and question him, Redmayne looks at him, says nothing, and after a few minutes of silence (with a terrifying background score) he says, “I can’t.” The investigator doesn’t shy away from his line of questioning and comes to terms with difficulty. Redmayne’s face in that scene is a masterclass in acting. Within seconds, his restraint goes from calm to uncomfortable to irritated and furious. The nine-second monologue with only two words repeated on loop is a visual treat for any ardent Redmayne fan.
If Redmayne is innately versatile, Chastain completes her impeccably with her heartwarming performance as Amy. She is the embodiment of a ‘good nurse’ while she grapples with her worries. The way Chastain blends vulnerability and brutality in his best portrayal, he also maintains a (somewhat) faltering script.
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backbone of film
The real protagonists of the film are cinematography by Jodie Lee Lips and well-stitched editing by Adam Nielsen. Lips brings the underlying themes of the film to life at various stages when the dialogue retreats. This is undoubtedly the backbone of Lindholm’s medical thriller.
As a serial killer, Charlie might not be the most ruthless and dangerous you’ve ever seen. But his simple personality makes his way of working (injecting insulin in saline bags) cold and dangerous.
Before the end credits begin, the film reveals that Charlie pleaded guilty to the murder of 29 people, while the actual number of victims is believed to be 400. Charlie never explained why he killed people. He is currently serving 18 consecutive life sentences in a New Jersey state prison and will not be eligible for parole until 2043. He was a nurse for 16 years. While in most hospitals he worked under suspicion, none of that deterred him, reflecting the apathy in American hospitals at the time.
If you are looking for a slow moving true crime thriller directed by two powerful actors of our times, the good nurse Won’t let you down if you haven’t read the book.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)