Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1219206
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 MARCH 2020 15 FILM ENVIRONMENT Moss's performance does the necessary heavy lifting to en- sure we see the full extent of the psychological scars that he's left behind. We then get to see the workings of such an evil mind externalised to full effect, as Adrian's invisibility allows him untrammelled ac- cess to her life, with his public- ly-announced death making it virtually impossible for anyone around her to believe her sto- ry, or offer help once Adrian's manipulation becomes increas- ingly more devious, complex and isolating. The 'virtually impossible' is key, of course, to Cecilia being forced to wriggle out of his gar- gantuan volley of injustices is what's meant to keep us glued in our seats. Whannell rises to the challenge at every turn, with no small help from Moss. In a way, this franchise-start- er (a sequel is already in the works) bears some DNA trac- es to a recent horror also lucky to count Moss among its cast: Jordan Peele's Us. Like that exploration of the frustrated and tamped-down American underclass, The Invisible Man maintains a tight ratio between depth and thrills, ensuring its allegory is fully wedded to an expertly functioning narrative engine that delivers the goods. THE INVISIBLE MAN IF I WAS INVISIBLE DISAPPEARING ACT FADE AWAY BARELY THERE ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This small flower gained fame through an early 20th century novel as the codename of an elusive daredevil who rescued mem- bers of the French aristocracy during the French Revolution. But you need not visit France to enjoy this flower: it is very com- mon and widespread all over our countryside, and starting to bloom around now. The pimpernel comes in two colour forms: a pinkish orange (M. ħarira ħamra) and an intense blue (M. ħarira kaħla). The plant grows low on the ground, and can turn entire road verges into very attractive mats of colour, especially if both colour forms are growing together. But this beauty is all too often destroyed by regular teams of zealous men armed with grass-cut- ters and herbicides. Unlike the hero in the novel, our scarlet pim- pernel doesn't get to escape the guillotine. Text: Victor Falzon Photo: Aron Tanti 702. SCARLET PIMPERNEL Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 599 Find out more and act now: www.foemalta.org/goodfood The verdict Brought to nervy, exuberant life thanks to a fantastic cen- tral performance by Elisabeth Moss, this latest take on the evergreen HG Wells chiller jolts some hope back into Uni- versal's now all but aborted hopes for a shared 'Dark Uni- verse' reboot of their classic monsters. But more impor- tantly, Whannell's film very much stands alone as a deli- ciously suspenseful and effec- tively executed genre flick with something to say. THE INVISIBLE MAN (TBC) ★ ★ ★ ★ Drop in the ocean: Stewart Bad guy: Oliver Jackson-Cohen