'The Box' is a mess, but a curiously haunting one

Rene Rodriguez | MCT News Service

There are moments in the second half of "The Box," writer-director Richard Kelly's adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1970 tale "Button, Button," during which the film threatens to cave in under the weight of all the disparate elements Kelly has added to pad out the six-page short story.

"Button, Button" was previously adapted for the 1980s revival of "The Twilight Zone," and the story underwent such radical changes that Matheson had his name removed from the episode.

But his name remains among the credits for "The Box," even though the film and short story are so different, they aren't even in the same genre. The picture certainly starts out like Matheson's story: A married couple, Arthur and Norma Lewis (James Marsden and Cameron Diaz), receive a package containing a small wooden box with a single red pushbutton protected by a locked glass dome.

The box comes with a mysterious note: "Mr. Steward will call on you at 5 p.m." Arlington Steward (Frank Langella) comes bearing the key to the glass dome. He also delivers an intriguing offer: Push the button, and someone somewhere in the world you don't know will die. You will also receive a million dollars in cash. You have 24 hours to decide whether to accept the offer or decline and give back the box.

The farther "The Box" goes, the more ludicrous the movie becomes, but Kelly is talented enough to make you consider his admittedly far-fetched ideas.

"The Box" is a mess, but it's a curiously haunting, intriguing, brain-tickling mess.