What Is the Story About?
Craig (Jaeden Martell) is hired by an aged millionaire, Harrigan (Donald Sutherland), as a reader. Every day Craig goes to the mansion and reads a few paragraphs of a book. The activity forms a bond between the two as it continues for a few years.
Things finally change when one day when Craig gifts Harrigan an iPhone. Sometime later, Harrigan dies, but Craig continues to have a mysterious connection courtesy of the phone. What is happening between Craig and Harrigan’s phone is the movie’s plot.
Performances?
Jaeden Martell looks good but fails to bring depth to the part. It doesn’t help him that there is no real meat to it, barring an exchange and some emotional moments towards the end. Still, more than the act, the execution makes it look cringe.
Donald Sutherland is effective as an aged millionaire Harrigan. He offers a depth that is missing in the youngster. The way he speaks his lines or conveys the thought behind them hits home the point with his expressions. The weariness adds to the impact.
Analysis
John Lee Hancock of The Blind Side and The Highwaymen fame directs Mr Harrigan’s Phone. It is based on a short story by Stephen King.
Mr Harrigan’s Phone starts with a brief intrigue as it begins with voiceover dialogues. However, the interest soon waned as the voiceover continues without any break. It wouldn’t have been a problem if not for its expository nature.
There is also a feeling that things are used verbatim from the short story. It makes the narrative feels like someone is reading a novel rather than an audience watching the movie.
The issues mentioned above and the lack of any serious dramatic progression make the narrative dull and bland. One literally sees time pass by without much happening. If a growing bond between the two characters is the only purpose, it is done quickly, making the rest look repetitive.
Some parts are intriguing, like the reason Craig imagines for continuing to visit the older man. The writing hooks, but such scenes are very few. There is hardly anything engaging.
The introduction of the phone brings some change, but things continue to progress blandly again. Once more, we have a scene or two where there is intrigue courtesy of the dialogue. But, they occur at long gaps.
At least for a slight stretch, the real momentum is built towards the final half an hour. Some strange things begin to happen. It makes one curious to see where things are headed. But, the result is far from satisfying. The climax gives relief that things have come to an end.
Overall, Mr Harrigan’s Phone gives the impression of a simple short stretched beyond necessary. Some parts of the writing hold attention, but most don’t work and are bland. Watch it only if you have a lot of time on hand and don’t mind wasting some of it.
Other Artists?
Joe Tippett is the only other actor besides the two names mentioned above who has a semblance of a role. He plays Craig’s father and is acceptable in a typical sense. There are a few more actors, but everyone gets bits and pieces of parts to have any sort of impact.
Music and Other Departments?
The music matches the blandness of the narrative. It is unremarkable, mostly and serviceable at best. The cinematography is neat and helps create a calm and still mood before things go a little haywire. The country feel is well brought out as a result.
Highlights?
Few Interesting Conversations
Parts Of Final Half An Hour
Donald Sutherland
Drawbacks?
Bland Narrative
Zero Connection
Feels Lengthy
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, A Few Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
Mr Harrigan’s Phone Movie Review by Binged Bureau