One could make the argument that the cinema landscape has been saturated with zombie movies. There have been numerous interpretations of zombie horror. We have had zombie comedies. We’ve even had a weird zombie romance flick. Yet with so many variations of zombie movies, I’ve seen nothing quite like “Maggie”. Writer John Scott 3 pens a story that pulls the focus off of the normal zombie movie machinations and tropes. Instead he shoots for a more personal approach by spotlighting intimacies rarely considered in these types of films.
“Maggie” is a movie full of surprises. Perhaps the biggest comes in the lead performance from Arnold Schwarzenegger. In a dramatic departure from anything he has done before, Arnie plays a father whose daughter has been bitten and infected with a deadly, incurable virus. The majority of the story focuses on their time together between the onset of the virus and what looks like the inevitable outcome. Schwarzenegger dials it back and shows an understated side to his acting that is absolutely essential to his character, Wade Vogel. His bearded face is worn and weathered and he is clearly a man tormented by his new reality.
Abigail Breslin plays his daughter Maggie. We first meet her making a phone call to her father telling him not to come looking for her. Soon after she is caught in town past the city curfew and it is revealed she has been bitten and infected by the fatal disease that has ravaged most of the world’s population. Wade is allowed to take Maggie home for her final days until the virus reaches a point where she must be sent to what is called Quarantine to be “processed”. Joely Richardson is very good as Maggie’s caring but nervous stepmother. She struggles to balance her support for Wade with her fears of Maggie’s condition.
In a way “Maggie” could be called a family tragedy. It just happens to take place during a zombie apocalypse. But zombies are never the focal point. Their threat lingers in the background occasionally showing itself. Director Henry Hobson keeps his film from becoming a ‘zombie movie’. He effectively uses that backdrop to energize the movie’s sad and hopeless setting, but whenever the film is potentially moving into conventional directions his restraint becomes obvious and he pulls us back to the primary focal point.
As a whole, Hobson’s direction is yet another of the film’s surprises. It’s always nice to see a first time director throw aside a number of conventions and add a degree of style. This is clearly seen in the great job he does capturing mood and atmosphere. It’s well realized through Hobson’s camera, by his strategic use of David Wingo’s score, and through the telling expressions of his cast. Without the right tone the story would have fallen flat. I also like the deliberate pace of the story, something that Hobson and Scott clearly aim for. I can see where some may find it slow and even languid, but I never felt that at all. I fell right into the pacing and the story itself.
“Maggie” intrigued me from its first trailer, but the actual movie was even more enjoyable than I expected. It is such an interesting mix of subtle horror and emotional family drama. And even when it leans a little heavy on the melodrama, it feels surprisingly earned and acceptable. There is also an earnest sweetness at the heart of “Maggie”. The central father/daughter relationship is what drives the film and provides its satisfying emotional core. And that relationship is strengthened more by two very good performances particularly Schwarzenegger who shows us a side that I hope to see again.
keithandthemovies.com 
Okay, this review is confirmation that I rented the right flick from iTunes the other night. I will get right on to watching this tonight, been looking forward to Arnie’s different role here!
It’s a very different role. Unlike anything he has done before. It’s also a very deliberate movie that I think serves the story well. Hopefully you like it as much as I did.
Heard mixed reviews, but I’m glad you liked it. Unusual father/daughter story to say the least! Nice review, Keith.
I liked it quite a bit. A lot of the negative reviews seem to gripe at the slow pace but I really liked that. I don’t know if they were expecting a typical zombie movie or a typical Schwarzenegger movie. This is neither of those things.
Now you’ve got me curious. Hadn’t been on my radar till now. Thanks, Keith.
Absolutely. I was really impressed. I can see it splitting audiences especially considering many will go in expecting something totally different from what they actually get.
Interesting…I hadn’t heard of this one either (I suspect it will be out in the summer over here). Good to see Arnie doing something different; I’ll beat your review in mind when it comes out.
It’s definitely a different movie for Arnie and I’m glad to see it. I mean he shouldn’t and won’t win an Oscar but I really liked his performance here. Hopefully he will continue to explore new avenues.
I have read such mixed reviews for this. I think it’s going to have to be a watch it and see kind of film.
You’re exactly right. It’s impossible to project expectations on this one. I really liked it though. It’s an easy one to recommend.
I have never been a fan of Schwarzenegger, but this does sound quite good. I do like the premise.
Very interesting premise. This is well worth checking out!
This just sounds so good! Is Arnold gonna have his Mickey Rourke moment? LOL, I don’t mean Oscar calling (because, no) but this should gain him some career momentum. I’m very intrigued. Great review!
Thanks man. I definitely wouldn’t call this an Oscar worthy performance, but considering his past work this was a huge surprise. It’s just a really good movie and I love seeing him move into some different directions. Hopefully this is a trend for the future.
Hmmmm, seems that you enjoyed it! I might have to look into this some time!
Big surprise for me. It looked intriguing but I still ended up liking it better than I anticipated.
I’ve been curious about this one Keith, glad to hear you think it’s a good film. It seems like an interesting twist of a zombie subgenre, and I’m keen on checking out Arnie’s soulful performance.
It was quite the surprise. I thought the premise sounded intriguing but I really didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. It’s not one of those timeless classics but it is very entertaining.