The Amaranth

I gave the movie a 10 because I felt that its ratings needed to be a little higher than they were. To me the movie was more a seven or an eight star film. I would definitely watch again.

This film is just ok but it will not make you wish for your time back, which a lot of offers on streaming will make you do ! The story is very predictable but passable. At least it is set in not too far fetched reality vs some sci fi future. I found the acting good all around except for the acting of the two "harpy" type country club women, too over the top obnoxious. I haven't seen the female lead since she was in the HBO series "Big Love", so that was a nice surprise. I didn't care for the lighting or coloring throughout, maybe it lent to the "sinister" ambiance, but it was just too muddy. . If its a rainy cold day, and you have nothing else to watch, not a complete waste of your time.

The premise of this thriller is interesting and fairly original, but somehow it didn't live up to its potential. That is mainly due to the very slow pace and the lack of any serious action. It's all in the atmosphere, that is supposed to be sinister and creepy, but even that didn't really come about. What didn't help was Melora Walters as the intelligent and suspicious heroine Lily, she constantly acted cranky, sulky or angry, treated her well-meaning old husband (a fine role by Richard Kendrick) condescending, and had an irritating, slurry way of talking, as if she was constantly under the influence of downers.

After some 70 minutes Lily (and we) out of the blue got all the answers to the mysteries (as if the leading doctor of the facility suddenly decided to make a clean sweep!), and after that there is a weird sort of epilogue, in which we see how formerly outraged and indignant Lily a few years later nevertheless drops her principles when it suits her own benefit. It could have been a strong, cynical ending, if it hadn't been presented so abrupt and out of the blue, it looked like either an afterthought of someone in the production who was able to force it into the movie, or as if some substantial material was lost on the cutting table.

There are things in this film I liked a lot - at the beginning. But the film never really builds to a climax. It is long and slow and you have to pay close attention. It sorta lost my interest and honestly I have no idea what was going on towards the end. I just remember this made me feel depressed. :(

Not a masterpiece but a very decent mystery thriller with excellent acting and a very good cast. A little slow and moderately predictable but was worth watching till the satisfying end. With who we have as president and the way society is going I see this story as very plausible and in the very near future.