MOVIE: Searching (Film Review)

www.google.com

Although it’s a bit late to review this film as we’ve seen it only yesterday, (blame it on Sir Sonkie, hindi kami nanalo sa DFI competition haha, peace!), I don’t want to miss the opportunity of rewarding this film an outstanding review.

Honestly, when I first read the synopsis of the film “Searching, I feel like there is nothing extra ordinary with the storyline. David Kim played as John Cho ( I still remember him from American Pie) a typical husband and father who eventually lost her wife, became distant with his teen age daughter Margot, who became attached to internet and Social media, gained “friends” online whom she doesn’t know personally, got tricked by this “friend, and then gone missing. Very basic, very simple. There is nothing new, seems like I am just watching TV Patrol headline news.  But really, what makes this film stands out among other thriller movies?

Visual deliverance. Every viewer wants the movie to be “realistic” even though it is not. In this film, the approach they did on the visual effects and screenplays are totally different. Throughout the movie, our sight is focus on how they started their family, as well as the birth of the social media. From the start up sound of Windows 95 (which is kinda nostalgic), you will see at the “corner” of the desktop the Norton Antivirus and those simple uncomplicated ways of navigating the system. Until, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr are gradually introduced. And honestly, it delivers a more realistic connection to the audience because we became “part” of their social life. 

Engaging plot. Boredom is the product if a certain movie gives too much information or having too much conversation. Searching is exactly the opposite. You will crave for more details each time David Kim reveals his discoveries. You will get curious which Margot’s social media account is he going to unfold, or which friend he is going to interrogate next. And literally, you will wait of what he is going to write down on the iMessage as you don’t want to miss anything.

Emotions. The movie was intended to be seen by the movie goers only through the lens. That is, 90% of the 90minute film, you will see the characters just seating, chatting, typing message, reading emails and stuff which has something to do with social media. You will never find anything about elaborated interior designs, fashionable clothes, or high end cars. Just the facial expression. And every character delivered more than what we expected. Very natural and sometimes with a bit of awkwardness, yet so powerful they conquered the viewers. That’s how effective they are.

All in all, the film’s smart and effective plot gives a full satisfaction, unleashing a strong cultural relevance (advantage and disadvantage) of the internet. Although there is a slight similarity with the 2014’s Unfriended as they both use the internet as the platform, Searching diversified some ideas by  including immediate family members and not just a teenage genre film. And the conclusion is so reliable it left a great impact wherein you will only remember how the parents defend and protect their children in a different perspective.

An extra ordinary craft made by an extra ordinary team.

Your 150minutes will never be wasted.