04 Aug Nine Days Review

NINE DAYS

dir. Edson Oda, starring Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Bill Skarsgard, and Tony Hale

Nine Days, a supernatural drama, revolves around Will, a man who interviews a number of unborn souls to determine which one will be given a chance at life. Working out of an almost completely isolated cabin, Will’s codgy demeanor and unwillingness to truly connect with any of the candidates is starkly contrasted against the candidate’s desperation to be selected for the grand prize. Each of these candidates represents a number of different facets within each of us: self doubt, empathy, resolve, the capacity to love, indifference and more. When Will’s favorite previous candidate dies in a car accident, the interviews begin to find a replacement. This death impacts Will heavily throughout the film as he struggles to search for answers while attempting to keep himself and his professionalism in check.

The brilliance of the film lies in how Oda manages to create a high stakes/low tension film. While the story makes it plain that each soul in question is incredibly eager to be presented with this opportunity, their only interaction comes with Will, who remains emotionally distant from them. Because of this, any opportunities for the candidates to clash is removed and each individual is forced to move forward in the process based on personal merit. The main bits of tension come from Will and his coworker Kyo as Kyo endeavors to help Will recover after his previous candidate’s death. Will’s internal struggles and refusal to reflect upon himself while judging others is the starting point of a journey that culminates in a radiant breakthrough that ensures writer/director Edson Oda understands humanity in a way that few do.

The most beautiful moments in the movie come from rejected candidates and their requests to experience humanity in their final moments. These scenes radiate joy, awe, and wonder as Will and Kyo labor to create these moments for them. The direction, score, and cinematography all work congruent with the acting to produce an experience that is powerfully raw and emotional. These standout scenes, along with the final moments between Will and Emma are the crux of the film that emphasize the positive aspects of having a life worth living.

At the forefront of Nine Days is Winston Duke as Will, an arbiter who evaluates a number of souls with the intention of selecting one to inhabit a newborn body. Will is aloof, distant from his candidates as he simultaneously grapples with the death of one of his previous selections. Duke’s performance as Will is masterful, barely containing the deep sorrow and rage within the character. Duke, at 6 feet 5 inches, appears as a giant lumbering inside his small abode, yet still conveys a gentleness and grace that belies his physical stature. When Duke is finally able to let loose his restrained emotions, the release is deeply satisfying, almost cathartic, which is a testament to his acumen. Zazie Beetz shines as Emma, an enigmatic soul who’s curiosity about Will far outweighs her interest in being a potential candidate. Her portrayal of Emma is one of the highlights of the film, using her quiet, inquisitive demeanor to win over audiences and remind us time and again the inherent good in humanity as a whole. Bill Skarsgard as Kane, something of a foil to Emma, plays the character straight down the middle as a no-nonsense matter-of-fact soul that prefers to see life as it is, for all its flaws and evils. The pairing of Skarsgard and Beetz in the one scene they have together makes for wonderful chemistry and dramatic tension as opposite sides of the same coin. Will’s co-worker Kyo, as played by Benedict Wong, is great addition to the cast, used to play off Will’s stoic nature. Kyo is light and easygoing, and while not technically alive shows more humanity in his handful of minutes on screen than most of the candidates do.

Written and directed by Edson Oda, Nine Days is a strong feature debut from a person who has a lot to say. Previously a commercial director, Oda’s transition to film offer’s a fresh voice and unique outlook on life as each candidate interacts with Will. Even the ones who don’t last long in the selection process are given care and development as Oda manages to create a cast of characters that reflect a cross section of everyday life. With a runtime of 124 minutes, the film flies by largely due to a solid story, great writing, captivating performances and expert editing. The production design is noteworthy as well, with the cramped interior of the small house clashing against the vast openness of the space outside. While Oda never fully explains the location or the semantics of what exactly is taking place, there’s enough to infer and Oda lets the audience draw from their own beliefs to fill in the blanks.

Overall, Nine Days a beautiful movie that explores multiple facets of the human condition. Featuring career defining performances from both Winston Duke and Zazie Beetz, the film is an excellent counter to the bombastic blockbusters that normally dominate the summer. At times joyful and at other times somber, the film invites us to both examine and celebrate the gift of life and living while being careful not to preach to or overwhelm the audience. A brilliantly fresh approach to storytelling combined with clever minimalist filmmaking results in a project that will stick with the viewer long after the credits have ended. Nine Days hits theaters August 6th.

Review by Darryl Mansel