Stillwater
Focus Features | Release Date: July 30, 2021
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 82 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
43
Mixed:
28
Negative:
11
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6
Rebecca31Aug 15, 2021
You could be forgiven for thinking this is one of those Liam Neeson-esque movies where he punches his way through all the bad guys in order to rescue his daughter/wife etc. Stillwater is a much more toned down movie than the trailer wouldYou could be forgiven for thinking this is one of those Liam Neeson-esque movies where he punches his way through all the bad guys in order to rescue his daughter/wife etc. Stillwater is a much more toned down movie than the trailer would have you believe.

Bill (Matt Damon) flies out to Marseilles to visit his estranged daughter Allison (Abigail Breslin) who is currently in prison for the murder of a college student she was sharing an apartment with. Allison is insistent she did not commit this crime and is trying to get the investigation reopened. Bill is determined to prove his daughter’s innocence and starts some of his own investigation into a possible new lead. He soon realises that as an American navigating his way through Marseilles with the language barrier and culture shock is more difficult than he imagined. If you feel this idea rings a bell, it is very loosely based on a real life case, there are some similarities but Stillwater has no “based on true events” quote at any point nor does it claim to have any connection with real life events.

There’s a few themes running at once, and it’s drifting between family drama and legal thriller. Damon’s character particularly as the out of place American going through a journey as he spends more time in Marseilles and develops a friendship with Virginie (Camille Cottin). Bill could have been a difficult character to pull off and have the audience sympathize with and care about. With a different actor it could have been a disaster but Damon was 100% the right choice. I liked Stillwater for the most part but at almost 2 hours and 20 minutes, it’s far too long for this type of film. It’s very drawn out and a bit dull in places. There was no need for it to drag on so much and could have easily lost 20 minutes. That aside the performances from Damon, Breslin and Cottin are the strongest thing you can take from Stillwater and really hold the film together. Recommended.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
tropicAcesJul 31, 2021
Decent performances and some good drama, but the audacity to be 140 minutes when the story can really only justify 100 of them weighs things down.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
UncleWillardAug 21, 2021
I can't say I didn't enjoy parts of this, but it wasn't the plot. Amanda Breslins character was poorly written and poorly acted. Damon was generic Murican, though he did have the stoic resolution of a man whose been thru some sheeit. I didI can't say I didn't enjoy parts of this, but it wasn't the plot. Amanda Breslins character was poorly written and poorly acted. Damon was generic Murican, though he did have the stoic resolution of a man whose been thru some sheeit. I did love Virginnie and Maya. They were gems in a otherwise lackluster legal thriller? Camille Cottin is gorgeous and magnetic.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
Voodoo123Jan 29, 2022
Stillwater follows an interesting drama concept overshadowed by Matt Damon's lead casting. Ultimately it seemed a solid concept spoiled by the need to provide a 'complete' ending. Though it was enjoyable and clearly well produced with aStillwater follows an interesting drama concept overshadowed by Matt Damon's lead casting. Ultimately it seemed a solid concept spoiled by the need to provide a 'complete' ending. Though it was enjoyable and clearly well produced with a fantastic cast, the screenplay just never quite sat right with me.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Brent_MarchantAug 22, 2021
When it comes to writer-director Tom McCarthy's latest offering, one can't help but wonder, is this the story of an amateur crime investigation or the touching tale of a father with a past seeking redemption? Well, it appears to be some ofWhen it comes to writer-director Tom McCarthy's latest offering, one can't help but wonder, is this the story of an amateur crime investigation or the touching tale of a father with a past seeking redemption? Well, it appears to be some of both and not much of either. Based loosely on the headline-grabbing story of American college student Amanda Knox, who was falsely convicted of murder and imprisoned in Italy, this fictional work employs a similar narrative, with the venue relocated to France and supplemented by the accused's roughneck Oklahoma dad seeking to find the perpetrator in the slums of Marseilles. In the course of his investigation, he meets, befriends and moves in with a single mother and her young daughter, who help him with his sleuthing and provide him with an opportunity to redeem himself for past transgressions and oversights. However, these two story threads don't mesh particularly well and never quite engage the audience as effectively as they could have. And, despite the excellent lead performance of Matt Damon and the fine supporting portrayals of Camille Cottin and Lilou Siauvaud, any speculation that this overlong saga could be an early Oscar contender is significantly overblown. The film has also drawn considerable criticism from Ms. Knox, who contends that the production is profiting from her story and conveying false impressions about her character and reputation, despite official claims that this is purely a work of fiction. In any event, "Stillwater" falls far short of expectations in many respects, and viewers would be wise to bear that in mind before taking the time to give this one a look.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
JLuis_001Aug 14, 2021
My expectations were perhaps too big in the face of the very basic drama that Tom McCarthy ends up delivering.

All the execution, drama, tension and mystery are from inside the box. There's no outside thinking for more engaging ideas. EvenMy expectations were perhaps too big in the face of the very basic drama that Tom McCarthy ends up delivering.

All the execution, drama, tension and mystery are from inside the box. There's no outside thinking for more engaging ideas.
Even Matt Damon's good performance is just normal and moderate, nothing exceptional, just him doing his job in a good way.
While Abigail Breslin isn't given much that she can explore and it's understandable, because Damon is the star, but certainly everything around him is too conventional and one-dimensional.

The drama is entertaining, it's true, but it's also absolutely ordinary.
What it builds is totally predictable, this even despite the quality.
That's why Stillwater feels like a movie that plays all its card in the safest way possible, and never tries to risk anything.

Only the conclusion gives it a different depth because it gives another perspective to what Damon's character risked, but that's only in the final minutes. By then it's already too late to improve its impression… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Mauro_LanariDec 8, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. (Mauro Lanari)
The relevance of this latest film by Tom McCarthy does not lie in its comparative comparison between the two transoceanic cultures: despite an exhausting and devoid of sobriety style, it opposes the drift of Hollywood and the Damon of "The Last Duel" towards the quicksand of the political correctness: the lesbian daughter is a murderer and at the moment it is the bravest twist that today's cinema can and must afford.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
robin006Aug 21, 2021
1. Stillwater reminds me of The Edge of Heaven(2007).They seem to have extended the final third of The Edge of Heaven for 140 minutes!
2. In Stillwater there are two presuppositions of the story. The first half of the film is about one of1. Stillwater reminds me of The Edge of Heaven(2007).They seem to have extended the final third of The Edge of Heaven for 140 minutes!
2. In Stillwater there are two presuppositions of the story. The first half of the film is about one of them and the second half is about the other. This makes the ending of the film emotionally confusing. "Savior Father" and "Man in a New Life" could have overlapped, but now the film is fragmented.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
davemelbourne58Aug 2, 2021
The first 2/3rds of this movie are really good, and well written. I found myself sympathasizing w/Matt Damons character. And I liked how well written his daughters character possibly wrongly stuck in prison. I even liked the single Mom andThe first 2/3rds of this movie are really good, and well written. I found myself sympathasizing w/Matt Damons character. And I liked how well written his daughters character possibly wrongly stuck in prison. I even liked the single Mom and wise beyond her years daughter and how they basaically adopted this stranger in a strange land. But then in the last act? Matt Damons character loses his mind, and the movie goes off the rails. I liked 2/3rd of it, but the last half hour or so really disappointed me and didn't fit the rest of the movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
MahnoorKhanAug 23, 2021
It was a good movie to watch. This movie had some good points and some bad points.

Good Points: Matt Demon was excellent and thoroughly convincing as Bill. His character development and performance were brilliant. There were some goodIt was a good movie to watch. This movie had some good points and some bad points.

Good Points: Matt Demon was excellent and thoroughly convincing as Bill. His character development and performance were brilliant. There were some good emotional moments and the love plot was too good.

Bad Points: This movie was 2 hours long and most of the time was spent on the love story and character development. They almost forgot the crime and thrilling part of the movie. Also, the ending was rushed and unsatisfying. It was boring as the first act was too long and they drag the movie without any reason.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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