Soon as it begins, even before the opening credits start on the screen, “Ava” gives the impression of a fancy Hollywood action-thriller. As our central character Ava Faulkner (Jessica Chastain) cruises the French countryside on a Land Rover, going to make a kill, we are given to believe we are watching a stylistically generic, fast-paced, femme fatale movie.
Ava Faulkner is a ruthless killer who works for an unnamed organization specializing in eliminating ‘targets’ sent to them. And by what we see, Ava is their best employee. Even her immediate boss Duke (John Malkovich) agrees. Stealthily, without blowing her cover, Ava has removed dozens of targets around the world, never getting caught.
But there’s evidently more to Ava than just a hired assassin. The movie tries to build its protagonist’s character and give us behind-the-scenes of a life mired in violence. Briefly, as the film progresses, it tricks us into believing that Ava is not just another femme fatale movie. We start thinking the film could be another female-centric heavyweight action thriller like “Salt” (2010) or “Lucy” (2016).
Unfortunately, the film, in trying to strike balance between action and drama, fails on both fronts. It is neither an out-and-out action film that you watch, enjoy and forget. Nor is it a gritty drama that you watch, enjoy and introspect. Ava swings like a pendulum between the two ends and never strikes the right time.
Writer Matthew Newton spent too much time layering Ava’s character, so much so other important characters like her boss Duke (Malkovich) and her colleague-turned-nemesis Simon (Colin Farrell) do not get nearly enough screen time. Without the backing of a good script and direction, it is disappointing to watch both these talented actors struggle to register their presence. Even Chastain in her lead role does not make much of an impact because of sloppy filmmaking.
To add to the drama, the filmmakers have us meet Ava’s estranged family in Boston, US, where she is confronted by her painful past. We see that Ava’s a recovering addict who had left home after family problems. As she goes back home following her father’s death, she has to try find closure with her sister Judy (Jess Weixler), mother Bobbi (Geena Davis), and ex-fiancé Michael (Common). Complications multiply as she finds out that Michael is now engaged to Judy. So the family drama takes some of the screen time but, again, with a weak script, the execution is sub-par.
The more we look at the cast in the film, the more we are disappointed with “Ava”. Lead actor Chastain makes up for many of the film’s flaws with her convincing portrayal of a disturbed assassin. But the rest of the cast does not even get an opportunity to exert their presence. Any film with Malkovich or Farrell has probably never been this disappointing. Director Tate Taylor, a-last minute replacement following a controversy (look it up!) could probably do no better with the script he got. Or maybe even he’s one of the culprits behind this disaster.
Who should watch it?
Not recommended for action-film connoisseurs. Frankly, we’ve seen better action sequences in low-budget non-Hollywood movies. But with no other interesting new Netflix releases, if you’ve really got nothing to do, you might as well spend around 90 minutes on it.
Genre: Action/Drama
Rating: 2 stars
Run time: 1hr 36mins
Actors: Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell, John Malkovich
Director: Tate Taylor
