Searching

                I love watching films that I go into blind that end up being one of the best films I end up seeing all year, and that was the case with the film Searching. I knew virtually nothing about this film, and basically just watched it off the recommendation of my sister-in-law; She did not disappoint with her recommendation. Let me start off by saying that this film will not be enjoyed by everyone for one very important reason, it is shot in a strange way. It utilizes that filming style where rather than looking like it is filmed on a traditional camera, everything that you see is on a computer screen, and you only see the film through a webcam, or found footage from sites such as YouTube, or other video sites. It takes a bit to get used to, and if you are someone that does not enjoy found footage films, you will probably have a hard time enjoying this film, especially since the entire film is seen through a computer screen.

            The film revolves around John Cho’s character, David Kim, and his daughter who he cares for alone due to the untimely death of his wife. It is evident from all the old home footage that David and his daughter, Margot, are very close with each other. The film takes a turn when David cannot get a hold of Margot and calls her piano instructor who informs him that Margot has cancelled her lessons six months prior. This raises a red flag for David as he was under the impression that she was still attending her lessons, and he was still paying for them. Wondering where the piano money went, he tracks it down to a deleted Venmo account, and this is where he finally decides to call the police, where Detective Rosemary Vick is assigned to the case. From there, a search goes out for Margot where a lot of things are uncovered, and David begins to question whether he ever really knew his daughter at all.

            The premise of this film allows for the characters to be well-rounded and full of depth. The screenplay and plot give the actors plenty to work with to keep you curious about the characters, as well as keep you engaged with the film. There are several twists and turns throughout the film that by the end of it, I was legitimately on the edge of my seat. The plot twists are incredibly well done. I was impressed with how fresh they felt and how organic they came about. Nothing within the film feels forced. The pacing of the film keeps it steady, with a slow burn, but it never feels boring. Whenever a new detail is revealed, you are engaged and curious for whatever will happen next. John Cho gives a masterclass performance as David. The emotions that he conveys with a very limited screen is impressive, as he almost singlehandedly carries all the dialogue. Every element of the film is fantastic and perfectly executed. I have zero issues with this film. As I stated earlier, I am sure that there will be those who cannot tolerate the style in which the film is displayed and give up on it because of that, but I promise you that if you can look past that and stick around, you will be treated to a film that was well-written, well-directed, brilliantly performed, and as engaging as any film you have seen in your life. Official Rating: 5 Stars.