Movies
It’s Shocking How Many People Are In “Stonehearst Asylum”
“An Oxford graduate takes up a job in a mental asylum, only to discover that the “revolutionary” new treatments are inhumane, and that there is more going on than meets […]
“An Oxford graduate takes up a job in a mental asylum, only to discover that the “revolutionary” new treatments are inhumane, and that there is more going on than meets the eye.”
Director: Brad Anderson
Writers: Edgar Allen Poe, Joe Gangemi
Staring: Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine, Jason Flemyng
Release Date: October 24, 2014
IMDB
If you have heard of Stoneheart Asylum (2014), all the power to you. This mystery psychological drama has been in my queue for far longer than I would like to admit, but I finally took the plunge into its psyche to determine whether or not it is worth recommending.
On the simplest level, Stonehearst Asylum is not a great movie. But with that being said, I would still tell people to check out this Brad Anderson directed film. BUT DON’T LOOK UP ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOTHING. LET SOMEONE ELSE FIND IT FOR YOU ON PEACOCK AND PRESS PLAY.
Stonehearst Asylum is not worth watching for its story, its directing, its style or its acting. So why watch it? The reason to tune into Stonehearst Asylum is to point out (literally, if you would) every recognizable face that appears in this story. You are going to be shocked at the amount of familiar faces you’ll see.
So, with that being said, Stonehearst Asylum has to be an attempt at an upscale drama that falls flat on its face. It falls short of Oscar bait, but it finds itself in the same vein as Operation Finale (2018)…which coincidentally also stars Ben Kingsley. Operation Finale is a better movie than Stonehearst Asylum, but both share the same ethos of wanting to be a finer entree than what ended up coming out of the production oven.
Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess) is an Oxford graduate student looking to advance his education with a job at Stonehearst Asylum. This mental psyche ward is under the leadership of Silas Lamb (Ben Kingsley), and he has faithful followers embracing rather eccentric methods of rehabilitation.
The odd, free-roaming landscape of Stonehearst catches Newgate off guard, but the young man has his focus centered when he meets Eliza Graves (Kate Beckinsale). The seemingly normal resident becomes a confidant to Newgate, but their newfound bond becomes tested when Newgate discovers unseemingly aspects of Lamb’s rule.
Stonehearst Asylum evolves into a silent power struggle between Newgate and Lamb as the newcomer attempts to uncover truth and the stump of the asylum looks to have his methods anchored with faith from his followers and his patients.
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Kate Beckinsale and Ben Kinsgley are but two of the famous actors part of Stonehearst Asylum’s cast. Jim Sturgess is a face you recognize, but you’ll be more shocked when Brendan Gleeson appears in the opening scene. Adding on, what if I told you that Michael Caine also plays a prominent part? How about David Thewlis…or perhaps you’ll recognize the name of Remus Lupin. Stealing from The Ringer’s The Rewatchables, Jason Flemyng is an all-time “THAT GUY” having appeared in numerous highly-watched films. You need a creepy looking man to appear in your movie, Jason Flemyng is your guy.
Despite this cast, Stonehearst Asylum can’t cross the line of being a “good movie.” The story, while admittedly surprising at times, carries itself like its on a leisurely stroll rather than with a fervent momentum. The carrousing of the characters creates a rather boring environment despite having a setting that would allow for dangerous tension and anxiety. You know how Martin Scorcese was able to make you shake with the setting of Shutter Island (2010)? There isn’t an eighth of that paranoia in Stonehearst Asylum.
Now I will be the first to admit that I have not read Edgar Allen Poe’s short story The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether that this movie is based off of. Maybe he had the relationship between Newgate and Eliza at the forefront of his story, and if he did…I think he may have written it better than screenwriter Joe Gangemi. Gangemi’s screenplay does its best to try to have Newgate and Eliza act out this play-pull potential romantic entanglement, but the end result falls really flat.
Do I go one layer deeper with the blame? Sure, why not. Too far back now.
Jim Sturgess is not good in this movie. I am not an expert in acting, but I know that when your eyes roll multiple times during a movie at one certain actor, then things aren’t going well. The biggest gripe I can articulate with Newgate is that I don’t buy his infatuation with Eliza. Does he want her and love her? Sure. But all of it seems at such a high school crush level. With the movie relying on their connection for its conclusion, it’s tough when half of the see-saw is broken.
Now can I say bad words about Kate Beckinsale? I don’t know if my fingers will let me….
Nope. I checked. She is perfect. I love her. MOVING ON.
Stonehearst Asylum is directed by Brad Anderson, and I want to root for this guy because he is a Connecticut man born in Madison. I am happy to report that this 2014 project is a blip in Anderson’s career because he has been working consistently since he arrived on the scene in 1992. Anderson is most known for Christian Bale’s crazy transformation movie The Machinist (2004). Many also liked Session 9 (2000), but I don’t remember that movie great because I put it on the TV for a group of friends in college and boy-oh-boy did they not like it.
Anderson has been working more in TV lately, directing episodes in well received shows like The Sinner, Titans, and Peacemaker. With three upcoming projects confirmed, perhaps he may be finding his groove.
Admittedly, Stonehearst Asylum is a tough movie to get through in one sitting. It is herky-jerky. A bit uneven. There are a few twists in Stonehearst Asylum that will make you pick your head up from your phone, but eventually your eyes and mind will wander. It is a bold effort at something that could have been great with talented actors involved, but instead it falls flat like an poorly made loaf of bread pulled from the oven.
STANKO RATING: D
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