FILM REVIEW
THUNDERBOLTS*
Rated PG-13
126 Minutes
Released May 2nd
The Thunderbolts are a highly unique part of the Marvel Comics universe of superheroes – a band of misfits who are called “antisocial losers” by their nemesis. They each carry “baggage” in the form of internal struggles. While at times the storyline of this movie seems like a bunch of water balloons being thrown at the wall, and the fight scenes are a bit scattered, Thunderbolts is an excellent movie, because of the colorful characters and the solid acting, and cohesiveness of the cast.
Each member of the ensemble turns in a compelling performance. The action has a realistic quality to it, as our team get down and dirty – none of them are immune to scrapes, scratches, and debris on their uniforms or faces. As is de rigueur in Marvel Comics movies, you will find the usual pieces of heavy furniture and office fixtures flying through the air, buildings crashing to the ground, and helicopters falling onto busy sidewalks. Amazingly, though, these mishaps don’t seem to kill innocent bystanders. Yay!
Director Jake Schreier, who is relatively early in his career, notes that “the development of the story and the characters became much more about how to go deeper into those characters and really find ways to tie their arcs together into something that would feel resonant.” This is why this movie feels much more like an indie than a comic book blockbuster. Schreier knew that he had to include humor in the film to balance the dark places that the story goes to psychologically, and as he puts it, “if you are telling a story about something like this, the last thing we want, for anyone that struggles, including myself with what the characters are going through, is to feel like we’re being reductive about it…that we’re simplifying it…that it can even be solved…It’s more about the idea that you can bear it with others.”
He also knows that some of the funniest people often have dark thoughts. He knew that to carry this theme through a type of film that is usually built on bravado and furious non-stop action, he was going to need an incredible group of filmmakers and actors who also connect with this idea. He recruited some filmmakers from the highly acclaimed television shows he has worked on, Beef and The Bear.
As the lead, “Yelena,” Florence Pugh carries this movie on her shoulders. It’s refreshing to see a female superhero who is small and mighty. She pulls the story together because of her huge presence. One of the most striking scenes in the film took courage and persistence, and Pugh stepped up with both. In that scene, the camera closes in on Yelena’s face as she sits on the top of a super-tall skyscraper, musing on the purpose of her existence. Originally, Disney Health & Safety had declined to allow that scene to be shot, and it was deleted from the script. Pugh countered, “This is ridiculous. I can’t believe they’re not letting me do this. They let Tom Cruise do it.” In the end, she got her way, but did admit that once she knew the scene would be shot on top of a super tall skyscraper, she “instantly got sweaty palms.” The scene is remarkable.
I wonder about the PG-13 rating because the seemingly innocuous character of “Bob” goes to some very dark and relatable mental places. The role is played by Lewis Pullman (son of actor Bill Pullman), who is such a fine actor that for anyone sensitive to these feelings, even for an adult, much less a tween, there are moments that can be frightening. Bob is a disarming anti-hero, seemingly deadpan and permanently stoned, a Big Lebowski type. But towards the end of the story, things get real in his psyche. Pullman gives Bob a “real person” aura, even when he is briefly transformed into a Godlike being with superpowers. And, as a believable person, Bob’s struggle with painful thoughts and questions hits home with impact.
Rounding out the main ensemble are David Harbour, who has great fun as “Alexei,” Sebastian Stan as “Bucky,” Wyatt Russell as “Walker,” Hannah John-Kamen as “Ghost,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who creates a deliciously evil version of her Veep persona as “Valentina Allegra de Fontaine,” and Geraldine Viswanathan as Valentina’s assistant, “Mel.”
Thunderbolts is a decidedly different style from other comic book superhero films. It delves deeper into human nature, and it’s driven by a tough, rough-around-the-edges female protagonist who’s not concerned about getting a few dents in her bodice. Director Schreier’s goal was to tell a journey of mental health and give it comedy and action. The resulting film has a warmth and humanity seldom seen in Marvel movies.
Bob, Yelena, and Alexei all grapple with the darkness, and at least two of the actors have dealt with real trauma in their lives: Pugh as a child and Harbour as a young man. This movie is well worth being seen on the big screen, and it will leave you with an appreciation for life.
Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people. She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail.com
