NEWS
“The End of Oak Street” Review
Starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor as Denise and Greg Platt, “The End of Oak Street” tells the story of their family who, along with their entire neighborhood, suddenly find themselves transported two million years into the past following the appearance of strange lights near their house. Consequently, Oak Street becomes a pseudo-island in the middle of a prehistoric jungle, filled with unusual vegetation and frightening prehistoric creatures. Not only can nobody easily leave, but the various dinosaurs are entering the neighborhood, turning to find new prey among the people there. The stranding of the neighborhood on this pseudo-island not only adds to the threat of the dinosaurs, but also acts as a cage, entrapping the Platt family and their neighbors, and elevating the suspense of the film.
Set in the early 1980s, the fine details are not missed. The TV showing “The Love Boat” in the background and Denise’s use of a typewriter help authenticate the film, as well as its nod to Carl Sagan. Anne Hathaway as Denise shines as the emotional center of the film. Going through marital trouble, Denise and Greg isolate parts of themselves from each other, the divide between them widening. Just as Oak Street is cut off from the modern world and is being destroyed, one wonders if “The End of Oak Street” portends the end of their marriage.
The characters and story are fleshed out fully, adding to the emotional depth of the film. In addition to Hathaway, the rest of the cast is excellent. Playing the Platt children, Maisy Stella and Christian Convery give strong performances. PJ Byrne plays his part well as their cantankerous neighbor, providing a bit of uneasy comic relief.
The film is a wild ride, intertwining the deeper emotional conflicts of the family with the terrifying struggle to survive. This sci-fi film does not shy away from how scary dinosaurs can be, but provides more than a simple escape story. Starting from an intense and dark place, “The End of Oak Street” gradually lifts its characters – and the audience – out of the quagmire to a rather satisfying end.
7/10