The Harvest (2013) (aka: Can't Come Out to Play) Samantha Morton, Michael Shannon, Natasha Calis, Charlie Tahan Movie Review

The Harvest (2013)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Samantha Morton in The Harvest (2013) (aka: Can't Come Out to Play)

Morton Brings Misery

When her parents died Maryann (Natasha Calis) went to live with her grandparents which is where, whilst out exploring, she sees Andy (Charlie Tahan) in his room. Andy never leaves the house he lives in as he is wheelchair bound and very sick according to his mum (Samantha Morton) and dad (Michael Shannon) who care for him. In fact Andy's mum doesn't even want him to make friends with Maryann and forbids her from coming around to see him especially as she has a habit of sneaking in through his window. But it is on one of the occasions where she sneaks in that she ventures down in to the basement and discovers a dark secret.

First things first and "The Harvest", which also goes by the name of "Can't Come Out to Play", is not perfect, there are some sizable flaws when it comes to logic. I will also say that John McNaughton's direction is solid but not overly fancy and as you watch you can sort of see how another director may have made certain scenes bigger or created more atmosphere. But despite this "The Harvest" is incredibly watchable and it is a case that everything in the movie works.

Michael Shannon in The Harvest (2013) (aka: Can't Come Out to Play)

Now as a movie reviewer "The Harvest" does present me with a problem as of course part of the movie is all about what is going on in the basement of this old house. I won't tell you because whilst it is a bit of a stretch to accept what is going on down there it does pave the way for a few twists and in fairness a few more things which are a stretch to accept.

Whilst some might use the words far-fetched to describe the story it is still entertaining because then there are the characters with both Natasha Calis and Charlie Tahan playing likeable and down to earth children. But then you have Michael Shannon giving us shall we say hen pecked but caring and Samantha Morton giving us, well whilst I wouldn't say that Morton delivers all out psycho she certainly does a nice job of doing controlling and crazed to the point if they ever remade "Misery" Morton would be god in the Annie Wilkes role.

What this all boils down to is that "The Harvest" is a watchable but sadly not great movie with a mix of things which are both right and wrong about it. But for me it is the performances from Michael Shannon and Samantha Morton which make the movie.


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