When ‘Stillwater – Against All Suspicion’ came to German cinemas in September 2021, times were different. At the time, the corona pandemic made people even more reluctant to go to the cinema. Moreover, the thriller with Matt Damon (“The Bourne Conspiracy”) was not particularly promoted. It happened the way it was supposed to happen: ‘Stillwater’ was lost in theaters.
As is well known, a flop at the box office (“Stillwater” didn’t quite manage to recoup its $20 million budget at the worldwide box office) doesn’t necessarily mean the film failed. “Stillwater” is the best example of this. So if you’re in the mood for a complex, brilliantly acted and sometimes truly suspenseful thriller, you can watch it today, February 17, 2024 at 8:15 PM on VOX.
Alternatively, the FSK-12 title is available anytime from online retailers such as Amazon as Blu-ray/DVD or as paid video-on-demand.
That’s what ‘Stillwater’ is about
American Allison (Abigail Breslin) is studying abroad in the south of France when she is arrested in Marseille on suspicion of murder. It is said that she killed her friend. Allison’s father, shirtless driller Bill Baker (Matt Damon), then travels from Oklahoma to France. Although father and daughter have little contact, Bill now wants to do everything he can to prove his daughter’s innocence.
The silent American fights for Allison while language barriers, cultural differences and a complicated legal system stand in his way. Bill builds a relationship with the French Virginie (Camille Cottin) and her daughter, who support him as best they can. But for Allison the situation becomes more and more hopeless and eventually Bill is also increasingly in danger of becoming involved in the case…
Sensitive, complex, moving
In the official FILMSTARTS review, “Stillwater – Against All Suspicion” received an excellent 4 out of 5 possible stars. The conclusion of our author Michael Meyns is as follows:
“With his thriller drama ‘Stillwater – Against All Suspicion’, Tom McCarthy takes an uncomfortable look at America’s self-image. Although the film repeatedly takes surprising turns, it sensitively and complexly tells the story of class conflict and Trump’s America and, with the help of lead actor Matt Damon, creates one of the most complex and fascinating cinematic anti-heroes in recent times . year.
I can only associate with it. What “Stillwater” accomplishes in its 140-minute running time is truly stunning. Above all, director Tom McCarthy (Oscar for ‘Spotlight’) succeeds in an incredibly impressive way, to create a moving portrait of an American father in which all clichés are gradually released. At first glance, Matt Damon’s Bill, with his cotton shirt, eagle tattoo on his upper arm and baseball cap, seems like a walking cliché. Almost – because of the trip to France on behalf of the daughter – like a parody of Liam Neeson in ’96 Hours’.
However, through the nuanced script, the incredibly dense production that is often reminiscent of 1970s cinema, and Matt Damon’s multi-dimensional performance, it quickly becomes clear that there is more to Bill than just a stoic Trump voter. In addition, McCarthy is based on the well-known case of Amanda Knox (e.g a documentary on Netflix exists), but at a certain point refuses to give in to easy answers. “Stillwater” remains deeply ambivalent until the finale, which also gives the great film the potential for multiple viewings.