‘A Cure for Wellness’ brings a cure for boredom

A Cure for Wellness brings a cure for boredom

Photo credit: Wikipedia

By Montana Paton, Assistant Editor

For those looking for a movie that keeps them on the edge of their seat, wondering how all of the seemingly random scenes connect, “A Cure for Wellness” is the perfect fit.

The movie begins when newly-promoted Wall Street stockbroker Mr. Lockhart (Dane Dehaan) travels to a remote location in the Swiss Alps. His mission is  to retrieve his co-worker Pembroke (Harry Groener) from a mysterious wellness center.When Lockhart first arrives, the wellness center seems like a pleasant place: The people are happy and seem occupied with fun treatments. The short trip quickly becomes extended. As soon as Lockhart leaves he gets into an accident and someone brings him back to the center. From then on the audience begins to see that something is wrong.

Throughout the movie, even though the story is intriguing and quite enjoyable, it would have been better if better known actors were cast, especially for the role of Lockhart. His character is supposed to be an arrogant and self-entitled businessman, but he seems more like a whiny 15 year old boy who thinks he knows everything, but actually knows nothing.

Lockhart’s past is supposed to explain why he is so arrogant, since viewers find out early on that his father committed suicide, the whole tie into his character seems very random because Lockhart doesn’t seem all that attached to his father. But whenever comments about his personality or past are made, the flashes of his father appear again. The flashbacks are poorly done in terms of connecting to his character.

Since these flashbacks are supposed to be a vital role in this character, Lockhart staring into the distance with dull and uninterested eyes during them is definitely not someone who should be playing this character. Another actor would have served the role better, but for now this one will have to do.

“A Cure for Wellness” does an excellent job at incorporating the whole creepy-mansion-and-tragic-backstory vibe. Everyone is obsessed with the water, because it is thought to contain some magic, which explains why the castle was built atop a pool of water. Like all suspenseful movies, this one didn’t leave out the strange young woman who randomly appears and is of some significance to the plot.

“A Cure for Wellness” is a great suspenseful thriller that ties in a bit of mystery, a whiny adult with a tragic background and a mysterious castle that is also a wellness center.

 

 

3.5