When a Housewife Finds Her Talent, Her Life Falls Into Place

Kelly Macdonald and Irrfan Khan in "Puzzle"
Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com

Director Marc Turtletaub’s film, “Puzzle,” opens with the main character, Agnes (Kelly Macdonald), preparing her house for a birthday party.  She cleans, puts up the decorations, and makes sure that everyone is having fun.  It isn’t until she brings out the cake and her guests sing “Happy Birthday” that we find out the party’s for her.  Agnes is a homemaker to the point where her family expects her to plan her own party.  This is her norm, but things are about to change.

Agnes’ evolution into leading a better life is explored in Turtletaub’s follow-your-dreams drama that’s heightened by an inspirational story and strong performances from Macdonald and Irrfan Khan.

For many years, Agnes hasn’t done anything but keep her family's house in order for her husband, Louie (David Denman), and two sons, Ziggy (Bubba Weiler) and Gabe (Austin Abrams).  After she completes a jigsaw puzzle that was given to her as a birthday present, she travels to a puzzle store to buy another one and sees an ad for someone who’s looking for a partner for a national jigsaw puzzle competition.  She soon meets Robert (Khan), who encourages Agnes to work towards something about which she’s enthusiastic.  While Agnes is hesitant at first, she soon uses her newfound talent as a way to break out of her rut.

Macdonald delivers a performance that shows how the routine of her character's life has driven her to boredom.  We know that her dedication to the household is expressed out of love for her family, but the yearning for something more that will give meaning to her life is always present.  As she begins putting puzzles together, Macdonald shows the hints of happiness that this passion brings out, and you're overjoyed as she starts to express the confidence that she needs to bring excitement into her life.  Although her character remains rather timid throughout the film, Macdonald's able to bring out Agnes' assertiveness to terrific effect when she's standing up for herself, and you feel glad that you're able to witness Agnes emerge from her sheltered life and venture down a new road.

Khan is superb as Agnes' new friend who helps her cultivate her talent.  His soothing voice and relaxed persona towards Agnes allow you to feel the positive life change that’s she's about to experience.  Khan exhibits a personality that helps Agnes bring out a side of her that she didn’t think existed, and the warmth that Khan displays towards Agnes provides a refuge for her as she has her occasional escapes from her daily life.

The screenplay by Oren Moverman and Polly Mann, which is based on Natalia Smirnoff’s 2010 Argentinian film, “Rompecabezas,” offers a lot of insight about who Agnes is and her motives for changing her life, all of which provide some strong character development for her as the story progresses.  And, when you give it some thought, the puzzles have a much deeper meaning at the end of the film, a meaning that emphasizes the growth of Agnes' character to a great degree.

However, the narrative doesn't just focus on Agnes exploring the world of puzzles, but also focuses on the problems that her family is facing.  Although it's kind of strange to see characters like an overworked housewife and inconsiderate husband in a movie that takes place in the present day, the narrative is able to subvert our expectations in other respects.  

Turtletaub uses cinematography by Chris Norr to produce some wonderful close-ups of Agnes doing puzzles.  These shots display the love that she has for these challenges and capture the feeling of being transported to a different mindset when you're doing something that brings you joy.  Some of these close-ups are of her hands placing the pieces together, and as we hear the satisfying sound of the pieces connecting, we know that each connection brings us closer to Agnes finishing a puzzle and having us see the results of her talent.  

Just like with a completed jigsaw puzzle, you have to step back and appreciate the details that go into “Puzzle" because, although it may seem like a small story, there's more to it in between the grooves of its pieces.

Grade: A-