The Public (2018)

I had been looking forward to seeing this film since seeing the trailer while watching something else a couple of months earlier. While this may not be the directorial debut of Emilio Estevez (who also wrote the screenplay and starred in the film) - he has written and directed a few films already, as well as a fair amount of television - he is certainly best known as an actor. Any time someone known as an actor moves behind the camera on rare occasions, it piques my curiosity enough to want to watch the results. And this film certainly delivered in my opinion.

Estevez plays Stuart Goodson, a librarian at the public library in Cincinnati. A man with a deep love of books (he mentions at one point that books saved his life), and an even deeper love of helping people, the job suits him to a tee.

He works on the third floor with a young woman named Myra (Jena Malone), who wants to transfer to another department. It is unclear how much of her desire to transfer is based on the type of books and variety of patrons, and how much is based on her general dislike of Stuart (nothing terribly personal, they just don't seem to gel well together).

Stuart Goodson (Emilio Estevez).

Issues often arise in the library - in fact on a daily basis - as the patrons of the library's services are predominantly the homeless population of the city, who come to the library to keep warm (the film is set in one of the coldest winters in recent memory) and to use the computers and to read books to keep their minds active. But on the flip side, they can sometimes have mental health issues and particular needs that are not generally suited to the environment of a public library, somewhere where people want things to be quiet and peaceful.

But Stuart loves his job. He has fostered close friendships with the regular visitors, and treats them with a great deal of respect, something that has often resulted in deeper issues with his superiors.

Stuart and Ernesto (Jacob Vargas) - one of the security guards at the library - are under investigation for their handling of a patron, who is now suing the city for a significant amount for his treatment as a result of his personal hygiene issues. District Attorney Josh Davis (Christian Slater), who is also running for mayor in the upcoming elections, has no time for Stuart's explanations, and sees him as nothing more than a troublemaker.

Stuart (Emilio Estevez) being threatened by Josh Davis (Christian Slater).

Everything comes to a head one night when one hundred homeless people refuse to leave the library one night - it is below freezing outside - and they barricade themselves in. Stuart and Myra stay behind in support, and this puts them in direct opposition to Davis and local detective Bill Ramstead (Alec Baldwin).

The screenplay is exceptionally well written by Estevez, with all the characters filled with their own conflicts, both internal and external. There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot, and plenty of drama to keep the audience riveted from beginning to end. It is no doubt difficult to maintain audience interest when a film is almost exclusively located in one single set, but Estevez has managed to do this, not only with his writing, but his directorial choices throughout.

There are plenty of great characters populating the film, from homeless man Jackson (Michael K. Williams) to local news reporter Rebecca Parks (Gabrielle Union) who is twisting everything and using this story to further her own career. Then you have Angela (Taylor Schilling), the property manager of Stuart's apartment building, who is quickly becoming close friends with Stuart, a man she thinks she knows, but who has plenty of secrets in his past.

Protestors barricade themselves inside the library. On the far left is Jackson
(Michael K. Williams), with Stuart (Emilio Estevez) on the right.

This entire ensemble cast are brilliant in their respective roles, with particular standouts being Schilling and Williams. Of course, Emilio Estevez is great, but he is not the primary focus of the film. He may be the protagonist, but the majority of the action and plot is furthered by other characters.

The score, by Tyler Bates & Joanne Higginbottom, is incredibly understated, but perfectly suited to the on-screen action.

David J. Bomba's production design is flawless, with the main set of the interior of the library being an obvious standout (as most of the film's action takes place here). However, every other set is beautifully designed and suited to the characters who inhabit them.

This film may not have a wide cinematic release - it seems to be playing only in selected cinemas - but if you get the chance, it is well worth a look. Estevez's direction is brilliantly executed, with lightness and subtlety seeming to be his forte here.

10 out of 10.