If there's a performance from an obscenely rich rom-com queen I loved last year it was Cameron Diaz in The Box.
Even if the movie wasn't a particular success at the box office and except for one or two critics everyone seemed to hate it, I think it was one of the most interesting experiments done in the past few years and it really has cult potential (and yes I'm aware that's always said of Richard Kelly's films).
Great part of this is owed to Diaz's brilliant turn as a conflicted woman threatened by a single choice she makes. Perhaps unintentionally Diaz gives a performance with more awards bait potential then her facile attempt at "acting" in her other '09 film.
She plays a 70's suffering wife with a disability in a genre film! Sure the genre part is a buzz kill for "serious acting" parameters but that's what's amazing about her in this: her ability to be completely moving and lacking in self consciousness while a faceless Frank Langella threatens her with the apocalypse and self parody.
People were annoyed by Kelly's B movie-ness and The Box went practically unperceived. Those who saw it, do you think it was political allegory? Strict sci-fi homage? or a preposterous flop?
If you haven't seen it, today's your chance as it's out on DVD and Blu-ray.
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