It can be safely said that there are certain actors who simply make every project they participate in a better project. It can also be safely said that James Ashcroft's The Rule of Jenny Pen is gifted with two such actors - John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush. 

Finally, it can additionally be safely said that while these actors do, in fact, make every project they participate in better that doesn't always result in said projects actually being good. Such a dilemma arises with The Rule of Jenny Pen, a film with more promise than prowess and a film that never quite lives up to its compelling premise. The film is based upon Owen Marshall's short story of the same name and is based in a New Zealand care home for the elderly, its isolated and quietly majestic presence barely concealing the nearly tyrannical ruling of the facility by John Lithgow's Dave Crealy. Into this setting is thrust Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush), an arrogant man who experiences a stroke mid-admonishing in the courtroom. Suddenly partially immobile, he's thrust into one of humanity's worst nightmares - living in a setting where one's independence is institutionally removed. 

The joy of The Rule of Jenny Pen is watching two masters at work. Lithgow, in particular, mesmerizes as Crealy portraying not simply as evil, though evil he is, but also with hints of vulnerability and a backstory worth consideration. It's a scene-chewing performance for sure, however, there's a controlled mastery that is simply so much fun to watch. 

Rush's Stefan is a man of great intelligence used to also being a man with great authority. In this new setting, his intelligence makes him both vulnerable and a target and his authority is non-existent. This is a psychological thriller, in case you wondered, and a certain suspension of belief is required. While I'm not familiar with New Zealand care facilities, even the worst American facility would have been shut down long before this film's climactic scenes. Ludicrous doesn't begin to describe it. (though, it must be said, there's definitely a wee bit of a sense of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest here.). 

Yet, for the most part we're willing to suspend that belief because both Rush and Lithgow are absolutely delicious here. What would have easily been a mid-range, mostly forgettable thriller is brought to life whether these two are facing off or solitary figures in an isolated setting. Lithgow is now 80 in real life; Rush nearly so. This adds an element of authenticity to the goings on that amplifies the film's emotional resonance. 

The Rule of Jenny Pen, named so because of a hand puppet through whom Crealy often speaks and acts out, crossed my desk as awards season fodder from IFC Films. While it's far from that sort of consideration, this is a sublime example of two top-notch actors elevating their material to watchability. Easily available now via most streaming platforms, The Rule of Jenny Pen takes one of our greatest fears - the loss of independence - and plops its story down in an isolated care facility with people merely going through the motions of care. The end result is a serviceable if not entirely satisfying psychological thriller. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic