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Note to Readers: This review contains no spoilers, to the point that it might seem unduly vague.
The fishing noirSerenityis a fine example of a Ceiling-Watch movie.
Ceilings of theaters can be interesting, especially old ones with intricate patterns.
Even the new ones can hold your attention.
There are parts inSerenitywhen something vaguely supernatural happens and the tinkly triangles and shimmery harps came through nicely.
I knew why because I had been ceiling-watching.
Reaching out in despair into the darkness, these men become real in ways theyd never been before.
Which brings me to the supernatural aspects ofSerenity.
The title tells you that this boat is a refuge of sorts, but a refuge from what?
Dill is living under an assumed name, having survived a tour of Iraq.
But he left something behind on the mainland something that nags at him.
Theres deft clunkiness and clunky clunkiness.
Clunking the least deftly are the scenes between McConaughey and Hathaway major ceiling-watch scenes.
No wonder: Theres no there, there the writing isnt rich enough.
Or maybe hes counting the speakers on the ceiling.
But its possible that audiences will warm to such a wacky gimmick.
They do, from time to time.
Just ask [name redacted] or [name redacted].