Suburbicon

'Suburbicon' is one of those model towns from the 1950/60s that would feature in human interest featurettes in cinemas of the day depicting model white communities in perfectly manicured residential lots; all sweetness and light and crimefree. A bit like Canberra of the same vintage really. Of course, reality was different.

This film is set in such a fictional community which descends into turmoil when one African American family moves in. A torrent of racism is focussed on these unfortunates. At the same time, one of the supposedly reputable white families is in a descent of its own into fraudulent and criminal behaviour.

I suppose the film is intended as an ironic, black comedy commentary. I found it very unpleasant. All the main adult characters are quite awful and apart from the brief scenes involving Oscar Isaac the film is without humour.

The African American family remains noble and above the shocking intimidation they experience but strangely they are almost invisible and mute throughout the film.

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