“Dr. Shaun Murphy” (“The Good Doctor”) depicted with inimitable skill by Freddie Highmore, is outrageously wonderful, a one-of-a-kind character, functioning brilliantly with autism; his diagnostic acuity, unparalleled; hilariously unfiltered, personally and professionally. Rarely can I state that I love a character unconditionally; Dr. Murphy, claims that ardor.
Director Simon Fellows in “A Dark Place” gifts actor Andrew Scott the license to rise above his past achievements (“Moriarity”, Sherlock Holmes; “Hot Priest”, “Fleabag”) as “Donny Devlin” a garbage collector in a fictional town in rural Pennsylvania; lacking the polish, finesse of Dr. Murphy, he exists on the “spectrum”, meticulously following his daily route; a young boy is found drowned and Donny does not accept his “accidental” demise; circuitous hunches, probative questioning of law enforcement, interaction with the boy’s family and friends, result in Donny’s persecution.
The film is flawed, at moments maddening, but Scott’s performance transcends the peccadillos; hauntingly mesmerizing, painfully, horrifyingly raw, the actor culled, embraced Donny’s reality and claims sovereignty.
THREE & ½ STARS!!!
Peneflix