Two young Mormon girls, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) are doing street missionary work. They call on a reclusive man, Mr Reed (Hugh Grant) who has requested to know more about their faith. Mr Reed comes across as friendly and affable. As they enter nothing appears to be awry. They tell him they need his wife to be there or they cannot stay. Reed says she's out the back cooking Blueberry Pie, she's a little shy, but will be out later.
Once they sit down and start conversing with Reed it becomes clear he is well versed in many faiths, and knows more than enough about The Church of Latter Day Saints. His questions start to get more pointed and there's a developing undertow of suppressed aggression. Whilst he is supposedly out the back talking to his wife to convince her to come and meet the girls, Chloe notices the perfume of the candle that is burning is called Blueberry Pie. Realising that they are in danger they attempt to leave, but the door they came in by is centrally locked. From here on it can only get worse.
Both the two female leads are ex-Mormons, and the directors Scott Becks and Bryan Woods consulted Mormon friends to get the detailed feel of the movie right. Hugh Grant is totally indispensable for the script to work. It needs someone who can be avuncular and seemingly unthreatening, but who can pivot into someone altogether darker. It was written with him specifically in mind, and it gives Grant a whole movie in which to display his acting ability. Something he's obviously relished after playing so many scene stealing cameo roles in recent years. He is utterly brilliant in this film. He is playing with, not against, his own screen persona and this makes even the off hand witticisms become unsettling
The script itself is erudite and cleverly written, deftly exploring the issue of religious institutions versus faith, archetypes across world religions, all through Mr Reed's perverted agenda. The script and Grant's performance turn this movie into something well above ordinary. Even though it is quite contained and a three hander, it holds your attention for its entire length. Lets see where this performance now takes Huge Grant in the sort of parts he gets offered.
CARROT REVIEW - 6/8
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