Inheritance

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Following the production of two movies entirely using iPhones (specifically, “Unsane” and “High Flying Bird”), legendary director Steven Soderbergh expressed at Sundance that he doesn’t see any reason why his future projects wouldn’t be filmed in the same manner. Although this hasn’t always been the case for him, it undeniably served as an inspiration to aspiring filmmakers, and possibly even to other renowned directors who continue to create successful films today. Movie enthusiasts may recall that Sean Baker, too, used iPhones to shoot his indie hit “Tangerine”. Now, several years later, Soderbergh’s friend Neil Burger is releasing a new film shot on an iPhone in theaters this week, titled “Inheritance“.

The movie “Inheritance” is incredibly engaging and skillfully takes advantage of the capabilities of Apple devices in fresh and thrilling ways. Additionally, Phoebe Dynevor, who has gained recognition for her roles in “Bridgerton” and “Fair Play”, might have just made a successful transition into the action-hero mold with “Inheritance”. In this film, she adopts such a different appearance and demeanor that you may not even recognize her once Burger’s new and intense espionage thriller begins. Despite the fact that the overall storyline may seem somewhat familiar and foreseeable, it offers an expansive, daring journey to its conclusion, serving as a reminder of the impact of covert cinema.

Filming Phoebe Dynevor

Maya, played exceptionally by Dynevor, fully immerses herself in the character of a troubled woman, swiftly drawing us into her harrowing journey. A series of city images depict her stealing from a liquor store, drinking from the bottle on a moonlit street, dancing provocatively with a stranger at a nightclub, and ending up in a messy one-night stand. However, things take a turn for the worse when Maya finds out that her ailing mother has passed away, whom she had been caring for over the past year as her health declined. The somber funeral service becomes even more uncomfortable when Maya’s long-absent father, Sam (Rhys Ifans), shows up — their estrangement is far from ordinary, as it appears.

Instead of merely attempting to reconcile with his children and covering costs for his former wife’s funeral, Pop goes the extra mile. However, Maya remains reluctant to forgive him after he vanished for years without a trace, leaving her and her sister Jess (Kersti Bryan) to face abandonment alongside their single mother – who has since passed away. Yet when charismatic Sam presents Maya with an enticing job opportunity abroad linked to his questionable real-estate business, Maya begins to contemplate. Could it be that she harbors a secret desire to reconnect with her estranged father after all these years? Regardless of the reason, Maya boards an international flight with Sam, and from there, complications arise.

Klepto Turned… Spy?

Following a casual exploration of Egypt and meeting the amiable business associate of Sam, Khalil (Majd Eid), an intimate and refined dinner between Maya and Sam takes an unsettling turn as Dad discloses he had previously worked as a spy during Maya and Jess’s childhood years. The evening out becomes downright alarming when Sam abruptly leaves for a phone call, fails to return, and eventually contacts Maya urgently over the phone, instructing her to exit the restaurant immediately. The police arrive, but Maya narrowly escapes their grasp at the last moment.

Shortly after receiving a call from an unknown number, she is informed that her captors are holding her father hostage, demanding access to a hard drive stored in a safe deposit box in another country. Khalid later meets Maya in the city, promising protection, but Maya suspects an undercover espionage plot as local authorities seem to be following her relentlessly. Could it be that Maya will have to take matters into her own hands to uncover truths about her father’s mysterious past and potentially become involved in espionage herself?

Covert Shooting That Complements Its Star

In the time following COVID, it’s exciting to witness American filmmakers venturing overseas to shoot films, such as an international thriller, using the iPhone. This method offers more than just convenience; it also fosters a closeness that connects us to the protagonist Maya, from her expert thefts to her fears and apprehensions. The filming style invites a sense of peeking in, while the absence of typical establishing shots adds to our confusion and disorientation.

In a distinctive and captivating manner, Burger adapts that particular style and constructs an entire film around it, effectively employing the iPhone as a sophisticated camera tool, unlike other filmmakers such as Soderbergh or Baker who utilized it for visual tricks in their films or to portray the grunge of Los Angeles nightlife respectively.

Ultimately, the storyline, which attempts to keep you on your toes with unexpected twists and turns, may not surprise seasoned spy genre aficionados due to the script or some less-than-subtle acting. However, this does not apply to lead actress Dynevor, who has shown she’s more than ready for stardom with her performances in “Inheritance” and Netflix’s “Fair Play”. As a promising talent, she has now solidified her place as a major star. Release date for “Inheritance”, produced by IFC Films, is set for Jan 24, 2025 in theaters.

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2025-01-22 01:02