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Wakefield

7/10

Stars: Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Garner, Ian Anthony Dale, Beverly D'Angelo, Jason O'Mara

Director: Robin Swicord

Howard Wakefield (Cranston) seems to have it all with a successful job, twin daughters and house in the suburbs – until after one especially stressful day, he has a nervous breakdown and simply vanishes.

Unbeknownst to his wife (Garner), he is still there, but is hiding in the attic above their separate garage. He survives by scavenging for food at night, while all the while he secretly studies the lives of his wife, their children and their neighbours.

Cranston continues to attract leading roles since his TV success in Breaking Bad and this film, writer Swicord's first as director since The Jane Austen Book Club in 2007, showcases his introspective talents to perfection, although the story, seen almost entirely through the eyes of its fractured protagonist, does have a rather abrupt ending.

But it's an interesting and absorbing experiment on a very small budget.

David Quinlan

USA 2016. UK Distributor: IFC Films. Colour by FotoKem.
104 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 15.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 1, Violence/Horror 0, Drugs 0, Swearing 2.

Review date: 29 Jul 2017

DVD review