Getting at the heart of American darkness, Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult go deeper than ever

As a film enthusiast with a keen interest in exploring the complexities of human nature, I found “The Order” to be a riveting and thought-provoking cinematic experience. The film masterfully navigates the delicate balance between empathy and condemnation, shedding light on the factors that drive individuals towards extremism without glorifying their heinous actions.

The Order” offers a gripping blend of crime thriller and untold accounts from America’s hidden history of hate organizations. It’s both captivating and spine-tingling, showcasing exceptional acting talents at the peak of their abilities.

Under the guidance of director Justin Kurzel, and with a screenplay penned by Zach Baylin, inspired by the 1989 book “The Silent Brotherhood” (written by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt), this movie tells the story of FBI agent Terry Husk, portrayed by Jude Law. In what he believes is a tranquil assignment in the Pacific Northwest, his investigation leads him to a growing white nationalist organization, with its enigmatic leader, Robert Jay Matthews, played by Nicholas Hoult, proving to be both captivating and dangerous.

In a slightly rephrased version, Law and Hoult deliver heartfelt, emotionally intense performances that somewhat contrast their usual roles, while the movie’s unflinching depiction of the captivating yet destructive force of hatred elevates it beyond the ordinary boundaries of a cat-and-mouse thriller.

Matthews’ actual gang, recognized as The Order, executed a progression of daring heists on banks and armored vehicles, with their most infamous act being the 1984 assassination of Alan Berg, a well-known radio broadcaster in Denver.

As a movie critic, I found it intriguing to delve into an untold narrative that not only held immense significance in illuminating certain aspects of our contemporary world, but also resonated eerily with today’s issues. The opportunity to weave together a tale set in the past, yet echoing in the present, was exhilarating. Furthermore, the prospect of crafting this story within a genre piece reminiscent of the crowd-pleasing films from the ’70s and ’80s – those timeless thrillers that are a joy to watch – struck me as a perfect blend. To my mind, that’s where the true allure lies.

The film titled ‘The Order,’ set to hit cinemas on December 6, initially debuted at the Venice Film Festival in August. Subsequently, it was showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival. Featuring Jurnee Smollett, Tye Sheridan, Odessa Young, and Marc Maron as radio host Berg, this movie marks the first American-based project for the Australian director Kurzel. His previous works, such as ‘Snowtown,’ ‘True History of the Kelly Gang’ and ‘Nitram,’ delve into disturbing periods in his native country’s history.

According to Kurzel, he finds it fascinating when historical events are categorized swiftly, as revisiting them can reveal various perspectives or aspects, particularly those that delve into the darker chapters of history.

As a cinephile, I found strong similarities between this production and my initial film, ‘Snowtown,’ from 2011 – a chilling account of murder in a rural town. It’s the way a central figure manipulates a community, gaining power and fostering an influential following that left me with striking echoes.

Director Kurzel often provides his cast with “small declarations” prior to filming – these are detailed guides containing various actions and habits to help actors immerse themselves deeper into the psychological and lifestyle aspects of their characters, such as the first things a character does upon waking up.

After wrapping up Robert Eggers’ upcoming “Nosferatu,” Hoult took a brief break before diving straight into a screen test for the Lex Luthor role in the new “Superman” remake. Immediately following that, he started filming Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2.

During the peak of his popularity while working on “Nosferatu,” the actor shares that he would utilize any spare moments during filming to record character-specific voice messages for Kurzel. He was diligent about adjusting his accent and frequently discussed Matthews’ gun collection or shared insights about his feelings towards America.

In my role as a film critic, I embarked on an intriguing mission: to shadow Mr. Hoult discreetly throughout a typical day, unnoticed, and compile a comprehensive report detailing his daily activities.

Law reminisces about finding the task challenging, but as a two-time Academy Award nominee, he hadn’t encountered such demands from a director before shooting. However, during the process, he began to comprehend the reasoning behind it.

Law expresses that the experience was incredibly fulfilling for him. This highlights his unique directing style, particularly in forming connections with actors and developing their characters. By the time they began filming, there was a strong intuitive understanding between them about who Husk truly was.

In their film, Law and Hoult share limited screen time, primarily in a scene where Matthew tracks down Husk at a lake, where he engages in leisure hunting during his free hours. During this interaction, both men exchange a few words; Matthew recognizes Husk, while Husk remains unaware of the identity of the person he’s conversing with.

The scene is at once riveting and frightening, with a live-wire unpredictability. Kurzel deliberately worked out the schedule so the two actors could be kept apart until that confrontation, bringing an extra charge to the moment as their characters size each other up.

Following the completion of the scene, they reunited and shared a warm embrace while exchanging updates. Kurzel recollects that there was an underlying tension between them, which stemmed not only from their on-screen characters but also from the fact that they hadn’t spoken in a while. This created a sense of mystery, leaving many questions unanswered about what these two men might have felt for each other in that moment.

In the portrayal of Hoult’s character, there’s a strong resemblance to the actual Robert Matthews. On the other hand, Law’s character is an imaginative blend derived from several FBI agents who worked on the case, and creatively embellished with a fair amount of dramatic flair.

As a film critic immersed in the world of cinema, I found myself captivated by Law’s portrayal of Husk, a character initially appearing to be lost in a haze of alcohol and self-sorrow, an individual effortlessly underrated. Beneath this seemingly aimless demeanor, however, lies a steely professionalism that, surprisingly, allows him to seize opportunities when they present themselves.

In one scene, where Husk is angrily yelling at a younger subordinate following a harrowing, violent encounter with Matthews’ gang, Law impulsively punched the windshield from inside a car, cracking it.

“It was a lucky shot,” Law says with a dismissive smile

Hoult expresses that collaborating with Jude was like magic for him, as he recalls witnessing Law’s performance in “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” from 2001 when he himself was approximately 12 years old.

He played the role flawlessly, making me forget Jude entirely. This only increased my admiration for him as an actor, considering I’ve long been a fan of his due to his exceptional performances over the years. However, watching him now, bringing this character to life in such an unexpected way, I doubt people would have envisioned Jude in this role based on the script alone.

As a devoted film enthusiast, one of the most chilling sequences I encountered in the movie was when Matthew delivered a rousing speech to a crowd of white nationalists, culminating in their fervent chant of “Defeat never, victory forever.” This scene proved especially challenging for Hoult, as he had to express with heartfelt intensity an ideology that deeply contradicts his personal beliefs.

According to Hoult, “That scene stands out vividly because it was the first time I felt truly frightened,” he recalls. “Its intensity, because it seemed almost real in an unusual fashion. We hadn’t ventured into anything like that during filming prior to this moment. The cast in that room were all deeply involved and brought a lot of enthusiasm. So, it was a sudden realization that ‘This is something beyond what we’ve experienced before.’

Director Kurzel was also caught off-guard by the conjuring of that disconcerting energy on the set.

On that day, it was quite challenging for him,” he expresses. “Nick displayed incredible bravery, finding himself thrust into a situation where he had to be incredibly persuasive and extend himself to this crowd. The atmosphere in the room was palpable, giving off an almost intuitive sense of understanding. It was as if we were all thinking, ‘I see what’s happening,’ due to the intense, dynamic energy that filled the space, making it feel exceptionally risky.

Kurzel stated that Nick’s performance was incredibly persuasive and commanding, causing the audience to listen intently and engage with the role. When we watched him perform, it was almost like witnessing the real-life effect of such powerful oratory, where people can be swayed by compelling speeches.

I was part of Matthew’s group that met a tragic end during a law enforcement standoff at a farmhouse in Washington state back in 1984. After our demise, the remaining members of our order were incarcerated. The closing titles of the film make it clear that our actions bore a chilling resemblance to the Oklahoma City federal building bombing in 1995 and the January 6th, 2021 insurrection.

In the style reminiscent of Michael Mann’s “Heat,” the creators of “The Order” recognized that they were delving into exceptionally sensitive subject matter, as the themes they were portraying were deeply polarizing and often associated with intense hostility.

Kurzel comments, “I was particularly drawn to: ‘Why do people admire figures like Bob Matthews?’. It’s intriguing to consider the impact he holds and what personal circumstances lead them to seek answers from potentially risky sources. A significant factor is often a sense of being unacknowledged or overlooked in some manner.

The portrayal aims to shed light on the circumstances that led to Matthews’ rise to fame, all while avoiding any appearance of endorsing his reprehensible agenda.

According to Law, it took great courage for Nick to venture into such sensitive ground, as bringing a character like Bob Matthews to the fore required extreme caution. It’s important to clarify that this is not an attempt to glorify or celebrate him in any way.

Law stated that he was a harmful person,” explains the commentary, “yet, it’s crucial for the movie’s purpose to comprehend him to prevent similar occurrences from happening in the future.

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2024-11-27 14:33