Can a bad twist ruin a good movie? Can a good twist save a flawed film? Are both possible? These are the sorts of things that run through your head when watching a flick that’s overly reliant on a third act surprise. Inheritance, out today, certainly thinks it’s being more clever than it actually is, but it’s a case where that poor choice doesn’t torpedo the whole thing. A chillingly ominous vibe and a standout turn by Simon Pegg, acting very much against type, helps to make this one worth your time. Plus, if the twist manages to surprise you? All the better. The film is a mystery and a thriller, wrapped up in a bit of melodrama, to boot. Lauren Monroe (Lily Collins) is an ambitious young District Attorney in New York. The daughter of the wealthy and powerful Archer Monroe (Patrick Warburton), Lauren has always taken a more altruistic path than the rest of the family, including her Congressman brother William Monroe (Chace Crawford). When the patriarch of the Monroe family passes away unexpectedly, he leaves most of his inheritance to his wife Catherine Monroe (Connie Nielsen) and William. Lauren receives some money, but also a secret of Archer’s that he only trusts her with. Thus begins a descent into something quite bizarre, involving a man named Morgan Warner (Pegg). What happens once they meet, and the circumstances in which they meet, are best left to be discovered, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg, in terms of shocking secrets. Vaughn Stein directs a screenplay by Matthew Kennedy, with cinematography by Michael Merriman, while Marlon Espino composed the score. Supporting players include Michael Beach, Alec James, Josh Murray, Marque Richardson, and more. Lily Collins and especially Simon Pegg sell the sometimes preposterous nature of this flick and make it work, more often than not. Collins plays a good person, one constantly at odds with the wealth and privilege she grew up with, seen in numerous flashbacks to fights between Lauren and Archer. As for Pegg, the less said about who he’s playing, the better, but just know that he’s delighting in a turn unlike anything he’s ever done before. Pegg is relishing the opportunity and sinks his teeth into a role that consistently evolves. Their scenes together have a tension to them that is rather compelling, hurtling forward the narrative. Inheritance is a movie that seems well […]