Theres something oddly unsettling about a person whos justtoo perfect to be true.
She comes geared in prim dresses, equipped with polite manners and timeless poise but theresa big twist.
Not her usual jam,Miss Meadowssees Holmes trade hergirl-next-door personafor something stranger and far more dangerous.
Image via Entertainment One Films
The overall beauty ofMiss Meadowsis a tone switch that practically comes out of nowhere.
What starts as a quirky, almost whimsical character study quickly turns into something much darker.
Next, the protagonist is putting bullets in bad guys like a one-woman hit service.
Image via Entertainment One Films
On paper, it should feel messy, but somehow, it all clicks.
The film itself is centered on a sweet and mild-mannered school teacher with a not-so-little secret.
She moonlights as a vigilante, and its been going pretty smoothly till she falls for the town sheriff.
Even the romance with the sheriff exists in some sort of limbo between playful and unsettling.
As such, the tonal shifts arent a flaw theyre the entire point of the film.
The result is a movie that writes its own set of rules, a lot like its pistol-packing protagonist.
Revenge is a dish best served by a vigilante.
But thats exactly what makesMiss Meadowssuch a pleasant surprise.
Her Miss Meadows is prim, proper, and justa little unhinged.
It may be jarring, but thats the fun of it.
Perhapsthe best part about Holmes performance here is that she doesnt overdo it.
Her interpretation doesnt paint Miss Meadows as a cartoonish assassin or afull-blown action hero.
Is it a bold choice?
Yes, but its proof that Holmes has more range than she is given credit for.
InMiss Meadows, shes dainty but dangerous and unexpected in all the best ways.
Theres no doubt that its a far cry from her breakout role as Joey Potter inDawsons Creek.
Its definitely Holmes, but like youve never seen her before.
