Puzzle

Agnes (Kelly McDonald) is getting ready for a birthday party.  She puts up decorations, bakes a cake, sets out dishes, and so forth.  During the party, she asks her husband, Louie (David Denman), if he is having a good time.  She seems to be something of a wallflower during the event, soon vanishing into the kitchen to put candles on the cake.  She brings it out as Happy Birthday is sung and places it on the table.  It is at this point we discover it is Agnes' birthday!  Among her gifts are an iPhone - she is quite content with her landline - and a 1000 piece puzzle.  The puzzle attracts her interest and she puts it together in no time.  Her interest sparked, she calls the giver and asks where the puzzle was bought: New York City.  She takes a train to the city, buys 2 puzzles, and gets the number of someone looking for a puzzle partner.  After another puzzle, she's hooked and calls the number.  Robert (Irrfan Khan) is an inventor and puzzle aficionado.  He had signed up for a puzzle competition but his partner - his wife - left him.  Initially skeptical that Agnes is any good, he is amazed after they complete a puzzle together in record time.

 

Agnes is the center of the movie and it is hard to identify with her or understand the reasons behind her actions.  In order to practice with Robert, she lies to her family and friends.  She let's her domestic chores slide - she is a stay-at-home mom though her sons are 17 or older - and becomes confrontational with her husband.  From what we see, he is a loyal and loving husband but far from exciting.  Beyond the shared interest in puzzles, it is inexplicable that she falls for Robert.  As the movie progressed, I found myself more and more disliking Agnes.  At every step along the way, she lied about where she was going and what she was doing.  Why?  Sure, once the affair kicked off but prior to that?  The point is that she went from being selfless incarnate to doing something for herself.  Her life went from serving others - family, church - to finally taking action on her desires and interests.

 

Mostly disappointing.