You know those days when you put on the TV, an obscure movie just happens to start and so you watch it with absolutely no idea what it is about? Peacock (2010) is one of those. My word…what a movie.
Cillian Murphy plays John Skillpa. He’s a quiet bank clerk who likes to keep to himself, get his job done and go home to his wife, Emma. Cillian Murphy plays Emma Skillpa, the wife who likes to keep to herself and dote on her husband. Yet this is irrevocably changed when a train carriage comes crashing through their garden thus bringing outsiders directly into their life of solitude and routine – the curious, the press, the insurance people and the well wishers. This poses a huge problem. John and Emma, you see, are one and the same. Until this point, John has lived his life during working hours, Emma hers before and after his hours. But personalities start to clash when public appearances can no longer be limited to allocated times and decisions need to be made. You won’t believe how much trouble Emma can make for John and vice versa.
What phenomenal acting by Cillian Murphy (as always?). He’s brilliant. Disturbing. He so effectively and seamlessly takes on these two distinct characters (although technically one role…so, I digress slightly from the Blogathon topic…sorry). Once they start imposing on each other, he still manages to keep them separate, never leaving behind a trace of one in the other. So much so that you’re never really sure who is the antagonist and who the protagonist, if there is even a difference…maybe they’re both both (yes, repeat intended). I found myself questioning who I’d support, who I’d want to come out the winning personality. The transformation from male to female is just a tad creepy yet convincing.
While the plot becomes quite heavy and intense it is intriguing as to how each knows very little to nothing of what the other is up to. They both have different aspirations, values and memories (I know very little about this, so apologies if Peacock is a bad example or poor portrayal of people living with dissociative identity disorder).
Give it a watch. There’s much more to it than just a clashing of personalities. Be warned though, this is far from being a feel-good film with a happy-smiley-lovey-dovey-all-will-be-well end. But it will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled. I enjoyed it (as much as “enjoy” is an appropriate word for a film like this).
Peacock also stars Ellen Page, Susan Sarandon, Josh Lucas, Bill Pullman and Keith Carradine.
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Great wee review, seen this and he is good in this role.. I picked one with 2 Tom Hardys in it for this particular blogathon… weird eh? Bearing in mind how much certain actors seem to call us from the DVD store!
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Oh that’s right…I clearly remember your review – was a movie I’d never heard of. And hadn’t expected Tom Hardy in that role.
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He was more likeable character as Reggie Kray (in Legend), than Ronnie – his Ronnie Kray was almost like a dark side.
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Another one I still need to watch…
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We really should meet halfway and do a DVD swap be cheaper than sending them!!!!
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Agreed.
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Wow, what a fascinating premise! Addded to my watchlist, I’m certainly look for it! Cillian Murphy is an underrated actor, he should have a bigger name in Hollywood.
Thanks for the kind comment!
Cheers!
Le
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It’s only a pleasure Le.
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Goodness, this sounds fascinating. You are right about how certain movies seem to find us even when we didn’t know we were looking.
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Hope you enjoy it! I’m a firm believer that books and movies find me… 😉
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Well, that was interesting! That’s the great thing about blogathons – finding new films and new-to-you bloggers!
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Absolutely! I love discovering new, lesser-known movies. And just love discovering fellow bloggers out there!
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This film somehow slipped under my radar so thanks for bringing it to my attention.
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Hope you enjoy it. But be warned, this is a bit of a creepy couple 😉
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Appreciate the warnings. Today I did a post asking a rather sexy question. Please give it a look.
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Will do so…
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Thank you.
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This sounds utterly compelling. I’m not familiar with Cillian Murphy’s work, but you’ve prompted me to research him. He sounds completely believable in this film.
Thanks for introducing us (me) to Peacock, and for bringing it to the Dual Roles Blogathon!
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An absolute pleasure! Thanks for having me – I thoroughly enjoyed taking part. Cillian Murphy’s an absolutely brilliant actor – if you’re up for it, give the series Peaky Blinders a go – I found it simply superb. He’s also good in the heavy The Wind that Shakes the Barley (you need to be in the mood for it though), Sunshine and Perrier’s Bounty. For something lighter, give Watching the Detectives a watch (I posted about it a while back: https://thoughtsallsorts.wordpress.com/2016/08/20/noir-fan-and-femme-fatale-in-watching-the-detectives/). Thanks again for hosting and see you soon for the things we’ve learnt in movies!
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I’d never heard of this film before! It is interesting how films can slip under the radar like that, but it sounds like a masterful performance by Cillian Murphy…very intense, too.
So glad you could participate and bring this film to the fore!
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It is really great..dark, but very interesting. I love discovering these lesser-known movies.
I had so much fun with this blog so thanks again for having me.
I’ll keep an eye out on your and Silver Screenings blogs and update my links asap so others can enjoy your wonderful Blogathon!
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I thought this was a decent, little film. It is one of those I stumbled upon and wondered how many people have actually heard of it before … as I never had. It has a good look to it, a strong cast and Cillian makes a beautiful woman!
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Well…not sure about how beautiful woman he makes… 😉
He is a bit creepy though isn’t he?
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That part of my comment was tongue in cheek, he is a little creepy!
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I know 😉
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PS: Don’t you love stumbling upon these obscure little movies? There are so many awesome ones out there.
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It’s always nice to come across an unseen gem!
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I’ll introduce you to another one when we get to the Friends Blogathon soon…
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