Peacock (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Bannan i

  
  Review TBC, although this has been one of the most infuriating endings I've ever had to endure.

• Chris W

  
  It's a shame that this film was a direct-to-DVD relase, becaue, it really deserves a lot more recognition. This small, quiet indie psychological drama/thriller tells the story of a quiet man who prefers to keep to himself. When a train derailment happens in his backyard, his… More
  It's a shame that this film was a direct-to-DVD relase, becaue, it really deserves a lot more recognition. This small, quiet indie psychological drama/thriller tells the story of a quiet man who prefers to keep to himself. When a train derailment happens in his backyard, his world is forever changed once some deep secrets start to reveal themselves to the public. The performances, writing, art/direction. set design, and camera work are all fantastic. Not a whole lot really happens in this film, yet there is a pervasive mood of dread, uneasiness and tension throughout. This is a rather creepy film, made all the more potent by the fact that everything about the main character seems (key word) to be so plain and unremarkable. Cillian Murphy has a challenging job, and he pulls it off well. It is a really remarkable, haunting performance. Ellen Page (complete with a fun little accent) is also quite good in a nicely nuanced and underplayed role as a troubled young mother who can shed some light into the life of Murphy's John. The rest of the cast, including veterans Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine, as well as Bill Pullman and Josh Lucas, are also terrific. The less you really know about this film, the better (probably). Part of the joy of watching it, and getting the full impact, is letting the plot unfold without really knowing what to expect, or knowing what happens before it does. Again, give this one a chance. It really deserves it.

• Cynthia S

  
  I enjoyed this film for what it was. It had a very Hitchcock vibe, and Cillian Murphy did a great job. The movie built some suspense very well, and certainly had a creepy vibe throughout. However, it is one of those films that you wished went a different direction with its story.… More
  I enjoyed this film for what it was. It had a very Hitchcock vibe, and Cillian Murphy did a great job. The movie built some suspense very well, and certainly had a creepy vibe throughout. However, it is one of those films that you wished went a different direction with its story. Granted, the toil between the two personalities (Emma & John) in one person was intriguing, but I couldn't help but feel like it would have been considerably better if it had a little more "meat" to it. The acting, and intriguing character study, saved what's other-wise a mediocre film.

• Conner R

  
  Cillian Murphy second tranny movie, this time he's even more convincing as a woman. The movie itself is very interesting, having a lot to do with what happened before the start of the story put on screen. It's kind've like Psycho without any killing, which I really… More
  Cillian Murphy second tranny movie, this time he's even more convincing as a woman. The movie itself is very interesting, having a lot to do with what happened before the start of the story put on screen. It's kind've like Psycho without any killing, which I really liked. Instead of becoming a psychopath as Emma, John is more sane and well adjusted. While it doesn't exactly win you over 100%, this is just so interesting that you can't stop watching.

• Jake .

  
  So, I hadn't actually realized that Peacock was set in Nebraska, not Iowa, until looking at the little description thing right now. It explains the whole strangness of the story anyway. Lets just say that John's story would not cause all that alarm or concern in Iowa.… More
  So, I hadn't actually realized that Peacock was set in Nebraska, not Iowa, until looking at the little description thing right now. It explains the whole strangness of the story anyway. Lets just say that John's story would not cause all that alarm or concern in Iowa. Apparently things are different in Nebraska. I'm also surprsised that this went straight to dvd. Not only is the film rather good, but the cast is fantastic. Cillian Murphy just completely clicks with the role. He could hold up the film without the aid of the likes of Ellen Page, Josh Lucas, and Susan Sarandon. The actual film is fasinating, but really kind of busy. There is just too much going on. The film never really seems to have much direction or much of a plot. Still, it is certainly a achievement in my opinion, even if it does falll on a bit of a flat note.

• Robert C

  
  Because of the fact that the story unwinds very slowly and it is (generally speaking) a very quiet and methodical film, I'm afraid it won't appeal to a lot of people. Which is probably why it was denied a wide release, to spite it's AMAZING cast. But I think that… More
  Because of the fact that the story unwinds very slowly and it is (generally speaking) a very quiet and methodical film, I'm afraid it won't appeal to a lot of people. Which is probably why it was denied a wide release, to spite it's AMAZING cast. But I think that if you are one of my "Flixster Friends" you will most probably enjoy it. To spite it's rather bizarre premsie, it is that AMAZING cast that makes it all feel completely feasible and ordinary (for the most part). Cillian Murphy is nothing short of amazing and Ellen Page proves that she is capable of so much more then "angst ridden sassy ubertween". As for Ms. Sarandon...I think I'd enjoy watching her read from the telephone book. : P

• Mark A

  
  This low-budget indie thriller put this viewer in mind of the classic Hitchcock film, Pyscho. Cillian Murphy was superb as the troubled young man, John Silka, and his alter-ego, Emma. When a train derails in John's back yard, his life spins off the tracks as well, and suddenly… More
  This low-budget indie thriller put this viewer in mind of the classic Hitchcock film, Pyscho. Cillian Murphy was superb as the troubled young man, John Silka, and his alter-ego, Emma. When a train derails in John's back yard, his life spins off the tracks as well, and suddenly this shy, unassuming iconoclast finds his safe refuge invaded by all kinds of well-meaning neighbors. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Ellen Page (Maggie) and Susan Sarandon (Fanny Crill), but without Cillian Murphy, this could have been nothing more than a parody of true psychological horror. But his performance made a believer out of this viewer. His demeanor completely changed as he slipped from one character to another. The sets added to the atmosphere, the scenery, although shot in Iowa, evoked the Nebraska plains and captured the insular nature of small-town life in the mid-sixties. The extras reveal an alternate ending with a much darker feel than the one that was used, and the "Making of..." segment gave some good background to the intent of the filmmakers. Well worth a watch.

• Walter M

  
  As Emma, John Skillpa(Cillian Murphy, who is superb in a dual role) makes breakfast. He then changes out of his dress and puts on his suit to ride his bike to his job at the bank owned by Mayor Ray Crill(Keith Carradine) and is kept busy by his supervisor, Edmund French(Bill… More
  As Emma, John Skillpa(Cillian Murphy, who is superb in a dual role) makes breakfast. He then changes out of his dress and puts on his suit to ride his bike to his job at the bank owned by Mayor Ray Crill(Keith Carradine) and is kept busy by his supervisor, Edmund French(Bill Pullman). And this is pretty much everyday for him in 1950's Nebraska until a train derails when Emma is hanging laundry in the backyard, causing everyone to assume that she is his wife although nobody had seen her before. Now, John has to deal with more commotion than he could have imagined, starting with Connor Black(Graham Beckel) and Fanny Crill(Susan Sarandon) inquiring if they can hold a politcal rally on his property. Then, Maggie(Ellen Page) shows up. As a satisfying end to Josh Lucas Week, "Peacock" is an oddly beguiling movie with a fine respect for the period and performances to match. Originally, I thought John was merely transgendered which would be unusual enough for the time and place but as time wore on, I came to realize John and Emma were disassociative personalities with each almost exisiting in their own worlds, sharing a dark secret betweem them.(I'm currently reading "The City and The City" by China Mieville, by the way.) Contrary to popular thought, they are more like mother and child than husband and wife. Emma takes care of John who has a routine of buying baseball cards and Clark Bars on the way home from work. In fact, I'd like to go one step further and say that while he can barely function in the real world, John is also something of a savant, making him very good at his job.

• Christopher H

  
  Peacock is a modern day Hitchcock's Psycho. http://proofinpicture.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/peacock/

• Sarah P

  
  Really interesting. The human mind is scary and amazing....

• m h

  
  It was definitely interesting, and Cillian Murphy is quite outstanding in this. He's quite the actor. Plus is just me, or does he look good as a woman? I was sitting there thinking "Wow, he's a good looking woman". Anyway, I really had to say that Cillian was… More
  It was definitely interesting, and Cillian Murphy is quite outstanding in this. He's quite the actor. Plus is just me, or does he look good as a woman? I was sitting there thinking "Wow, he's a good looking woman". Anyway, I really had to say that Cillian was awesome. I really liked Ellen Page as well. I also think there was some good plot twists in there as well. I don't think you could really guess what would happen next. I think the film was a bit slow though. But overall enjoyable. I mean it wasn't the most brilliant film ever, but I enjoyed it, and I did find it interesting.

• Jason R

  
  Cillian Murphy is brilliant! This is an odd tale but the film has a great cast that makes it work. I really enjoyed Peacock it showcases the actor's involved very well and proves yet again that just because a film goes straight to DVD doesn't mean it isn't a good movie.

• Movee C

  
  In a small town where everyone knows each other's names, lives a quiet banker with a dark secret that not even he knows. All is fine until he collides with a red caboose and grabs headlines and the attention of the community. Peacock is a double-dose of mystery.

• John M

  
  Great acting specially by Cillian Murphy and superb cast in this strange and bizarre psychological drama that is very similar to Hitchcock's masterpiece "Psychop" though the movie is a TOO SLOW it is interesting movie and it will keep your interest in what is going to… More
  Great acting specially by Cillian Murphy and superb cast in this strange and bizarre psychological drama that is very similar to Hitchcock's masterpiece "Psychop" though the movie is a TOO SLOW it is interesting movie and it will keep your interest in what is going to happen with the main character.

• Daisy M

  
  Peacock the story of a strange man named John, who lived a double life, one as John and one as Emma. Then one day a train crashed in to his backyard while he was dressed as Emma and everyone assumed that she was John's secret wife.First flaw of the movie was that nobody… More
  Peacock the story of a strange man named John, who lived a double life, one as John and one as Emma. Then one day a train crashed in to his backyard while he was dressed as Emma and everyone assumed that she was John's secret wife.First flaw of the movie was that nobody recognized that John and Emma were the same person and this made the movie unbelievable. The second flaw was that the movie was so slow and not much happened. Cillian Murphy, who played John and Emma was great in this difficult role.The rest of the big name actors were good but wasted. Ellen Page was miscast for the role she played. The time period of the movie was never clear to me, the music was awful and created a worse mood to the movie.Only Cillian Murphy was okay in the movie, and due to his performance I gave 2 stars.

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