Puzzle

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

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Ever worked a jigsaw puzzle? Tricky, huh?

Some people have a knack. 

Solving a jigsaw puzzle is deceptively complex. Psychological studies have identified a number of thought processes required to identify shapes or images and relate them to an overall pattern.

According to the MacArthur Study, “the left brain hemisphere, our analytical side, sees all of the separate pieces and attempts to sort them out logically. The right brain hemisphere, our creative side, sees the ‘big picture’ and works intuitively. Both types of thinking are required in order to successfully piece the puzzle together.”

In the new movie called “Puzzle,” a suburban wife and mother discovers she has the knack for solving jigsaw puzzles when presented with one on her birthday. Displaying a degree of OCD, or maybe just escaping the tedium of her married life, she passes her day doing puzzles.

One day Agnes answers a “Partner Wanted” ad posted by a puzzle aficionado named Robert. This leads her on a journey of self-discovery.

Scottish actress Kelly MacDonald (TV’s “Boardwalk Empire,” Disney’s “Brave”) wraps the role of Agnes around herself like a security blanket. Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan (“The Lunchbox”) serves as an exotic Prince Charming, a possible lure from her boring taken-for-granted existence.

“Puzzle” is putting its pieces together at Tropic Cinema.

The film is directed by Marc Turtletaub, who produced “Sunshine Cleaning” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” The screenplay was written by Oren Moverman, who I interviewed for his film “The Messenger.” Both smart guys whose brains are obviously teeming with dopamine.

That said, “Puzzle” is a reworking of a charming Argentinian film called “Rompecabezas.”

A good reason for Key West audiences to see “Puzzle,” is the brief appearance of Ruben Navarro, a local singer/actor familiar to many people here on the island. Ruben left for New York a couple of years ago to pursue his career. Among his movie credits are roles in “Summertime,” “Second Act,” and the upcoming “The Irishman.”

As for jigsaw puzzles, studies show that people who do puzzles may enjoy a longer lifespan and have less chance of suffering from Alzheimer’s or memory loss.

Maybe watching this movie is good for your brain’s health.

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com