A bored college lass meets a wild-and-free older guy on Long Island
An affluent couple from Manhattan and their literary major daughter (Willa Fitzgerald) enjoy a getaway to the Hamptons when the mother invites an old flame out to their beach house, a charismatic edgy artist (Murray Bartlett). What could possibly go wrong?
"Beach House" (2018) is a slow-burn Hitchcockian drama/thriller in the mold of “Swimming Pool” (2003) mixed with elements of “Last Summer” (1969) and "Something's Gotta Give" (2003). The difference is that it’s an Indie with a miniscule budget, which can be observed in the opening scene/credits. Thankfully, it scores high on the writing/acting front, which is where any flick of this genre stands or falls.
Speaking of which, the script well chronicles the social intricacies of affluent leisure augmented by the too young woman/older man element and noir-style suspense. It’s a movie for those who appreciate quality drama that slowly builds rather than those who require an explosion every five minutes.
While Willa Fitzgerald looks 18, she was 26 during shooting and effective in the role. Writer/Director Jason Saltiel knows how to tastefully capture women on camera without being sleazy.
The film runs 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot at a beach house at the far end of Long Island in Amagansett.
GRADE: B
