The Nest
IFCThe Nest is an effective drama that follows an American family whose patriarch, an ambitious yet ambiguous entrepreneur, takes advantage of a new business opportunity and moves from New York to London with his family. The relocation from a suburban flat to a huge mansion represents a big shift for the family unit as they struggle to adapt to this new way of life. Starring Carrie Coon and Jude Law, the movie is another interesting work from Sean Durkin, whose debut feature, Martha Marcy Mae Marlene, brought him and Elizabeth Olsen critical acclaim.
The movie is ambitious as both Durkin and DP Mátyás Erdély place at the center of the narrative the huge English manor, this “nest” that should represent a new beginning, but instead brings out the hollowness of the family, above all the relationship between Rory (Law) and Allison (Coon). This aspect is not only highlighted by the two terrific performances, but also the masterful use of space exploited by the effective combination of Erdély’s camera movements and Durkin’s shot composition. This blending creates an intriguing atmosphere, which is closer to a horror movie than a dramatic one; in fact most of the conversations are shot from a certain distance which always highlights the enormous space around the characters and creates a palpable tension in each scene. This work is also a shift in style from Erdély, who is mostly known for his works with Lászlo Nemes, in which the DP creates a suffocating atmosphere through the use of close ups and hand-held camera movements.
Despite the limitations of the script, both Carrie Coon and Jude Law shine in their roles. The former is one of the most underrated actresses working nowadays, whose TV performance in The Leftovers is among the finest of the past decade. Law is always a reliable and versatile actor, able to bring a certain charm in each character, and here he is no exception. At first glance, Rory and Allison seem a stable and happy couple, but as soon as financial problems arise, the real nature of their relationship comes out. Both actors share terrific chemistry and excel in showing how those two people are constantly hiding behind a facade as they try to be someone they are not. Carrie Coon steals the show in every scene: the actress is effective in the first section of the movie as she shows the more confident side of Allison, while later on she’s stunning in portraying the frustrated and broken state within the woman and the passive-aggressive behaviour towards her husband. The big argument scene in the middle of the movie is one of the highlights of her performance, but her silent scenes are no less impactful, a notable example being the scene where Allison goes in a club after another argument with Rory. There’s something rather fascinating in the way the actress lights a cigarette or even poses she makes that make the audience feel her embarrassed and vulnerable state.
The Nest might not have the most original premise, but Sean Durkin tries to craft something interesting out of it through his visuals and main performers. The lacking script prevents it becoming a more complex movie, but it’s still a remarkable work from the director, and Carrie Coon shows once again why she deserves more leading roles.