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The Square is a 2008 Australian neo-noir crime thriller directed by Nash Edgerton and written by Joel Edgerton and Matthew Dabner. The film stars David Roberts as Raymond Yale, Claire van der Boom as Carla Smith, and Joel Edgerton as Billy. It is a gripping tale set in a seemingly tranquil suburban landscape that gradually unravels into a complex web of deceit, betrayal, and moral ambiguity.

David Roberts' character, Raymond Yale, is a construction supervisor who finds himself stuck in a stagnant marriage and a career that seems to lack luster and excitement. Enter Claire van der Boom's Carla Smith, the young and alluring wife of a small-time criminal Greg 'Smithy' Smith, portrayed by Anthony Hayes. Carla and Raymond embark on a passionate affair that soon leads them to dream of a new life away from their mundane existence, a fantasy that quickly turns into a plan when Carla discovers a bag full of illicit cash stashed away by her husband.

Raymond, though skeptical at first, is drawn into the plotting by his desire for Carla and the temptation of an easy escape from his current life. The two lovers hatch a scheme to fake a robbery and make off with the money, setting in motion a chain of events that spirals out of control. The planned heist seems simple enough, but little do they know that their actions are about to ignite a conflagration of violence and treachery.

Joel Edgerton plays the role of Billy, a friend and a rather shady character who becomes involved in the lovers' plan. The closer Raymond gets to committing the perfect crime, the more the lines between right and wrong begin to blur. Each character is drawn deeper into the quagmire as the supposed foolproof plan starts to unravel due to unforeseen complications and a domino effect of poor decisions.

The Square expertly portrays a tense and gritty atmosphere befitting a noir film, evoking a sense of unease and anticipation that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. It captures the essence of small-town life where everyone seems to know everyone else's business, and secrets are hard to keep. The more Raymond and Carla try to cover their tracks, the more entangled they become in an increasingly dangerous situation, highlighting the unpredictability of crime and the fallibility of the human spirit when faced with desperate choices.

Nash Edgerton's direction brings out strong performances from the cast, delving deeply into the psyche of the characters who each have their own motives and degrees of desperation. The film is filled with suspenseful moments that build on each other, creating a sense of impending doom as the audience is guided through the story's dark twists and turns.

A fascinating aspect of The Square is its exploration of morality amidst the backdrop of a crime drama. The film examines how the promise of easy money can test the boundaries of personal ethics and leads characters to justify increasingly dangerous actions. Each shift in the narrative raises questions about trust, the consequences of yielding to temptation, and how far individuals are willing to go to protect their interests.

As the tension mounts, The Square also delves into themes of love and loyalty, juxtaposed against the backdrop of criminal ambition and greed. The stark contrast between Raymond and Carla's passionate affair and their respective domestic lives adds layers to the film, offering a stark portrayal of how the yearning for something more can entice ordinary people into making extraordinary and often reckless decisions.

One cannot discuss The Square without mentioning its technical merits. The cinematography embodies the rawness and the underlying tension present throughout the film, using shadows and tight framing to encapsulate the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped in an ever-tightening noose of their own making. The score is subtle yet effectively enhances the atmosphere, underpinning key scenes with a minimalist approach that echoes the film's tension and unease.

In essence, The Square is a classic crime thriller that taps into the quintessential elements of the genre, presenting a thought-provoking and intense cinematic experience. It delves into the lives of seemingly ordinary individuals who, when confronted with extraordinary circumstances, reveal the depths of human frailty and the complexity of moral calculus in the face of danger and desire. Through its taut narrative and compelling character studies, The Square serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly life can spiral out of control when greed and lust override better judgment.

The Square is a 2008 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 75.