Before I Go To Sleep
Bennette Espineli Misalucha
President, Red Monarch Strategies
Where and with whom did you see the movie?
We went to watch the movie at Ward Consolidated Theatres. I watched it with my daughter Danielle Evangelista.
Overall, what did you think?
I thought it was a good movie, suspenseful in the right places. The fact that it featured two of today’s finest actors was a big draw. I love any movie with Colin Firth. I particularly liked how the actors were cast outside of their usual roles. The ending is a surprise, and although the pace of the movie got a bit slow midpoint, I think the ending wrapped up the storyline nicely.
Without giving away the ending, what was one of your favorite scenes?
My favorite scene was when Christine (Nicole Kidman) realized that she was a mother and had borne a child, and the wonderful memories of her child came back to her. Being a mother is a powerful thing, and any mother can identify with the strong attachment that we have with our children.
On a scale of one to four stars, what would you rate this film?
I would rate it ★★★.
What did you think of the cinematography?
The cinematography added to the storyline. In the beginning, when the film was trying to establish the monotony of their existence, it seems like the same shots were repeated. There was a cadence to that everyday life as reflected in the camera shots. In the movie, each morning was marked by a closeup of Christine’s bloodshot eyes, so that added some interest to the movie.
Was the message/theme clear?
Yes, it was. It was not at all predictable. It did take a little while to get that message, though.
Who would you recommend this movie to?
Folks who like suspense and drama. It is not as scary as Silence of the Lambs or something gory like that, but it’s good for an afternoon thrill.
Did any of the actors stand out?
I think Nicole Kidman held her own as the woman who was locked out of her memory, and who had to keep unraveling the mystery of her existence on a daily basis. She was believable in her role as a suburban housewife, and as she continued to find her way out of that rabbit hole, I saw her confidence also start building up.
Did you identify with any of the characters?
Not as a total character, no. But I can identify with bits and pieces of what the characters were going through.
As I mentioned earlier, I related to Christine Lucas’s feelings as a mom. I also identified with Ben Lucas (Colin Firth), as he tried to be the caregiver for his wife. I am the oldest of five children, and my mom Avelina is 80 years old, so I am always the person who worries about her health and ensures she has appropriate care from everyone.
Would you buy this movie when it comes out on DVD?
No, I do not think so. The problem with suspense films, unless they are the iconic movies like those Alfred Hitchcock movies, we already know the ending, and so the magic is gone when we watch it for the second or third time.
On a different note, what’s new with you?
I am currently involved in a number of issues, but my primary focus nowadays is serving as executive director for Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, a nonprofit organization which promotes modern agriculture that helps farmers and communities succeed. I also continue to volunteer and sit on a number of nonprofit boards. In between, I emcee a lot of events and I am often asked to speak on a number of issues. The highlight of my year thus far was delivering the commencement speech at Chaminade University’s graduation ceremonies.
