Fingernails is a strange little film. The premise you must accept to watch it is that science has found a way to test for true love by ripping out a fingernail and putting it in a machine that tells you if it’s a match for another fingernail. If the machine gives you 100%, it’s the perfect match. You have found love.
If you are willing to accept that bit of nonsense, then you might enjoy the film. There’s not much emotion in the film – I mean if you don’t even know whether you’re in love or not, what other emotions are you in touch with?
Anna (Jessie Buckley) and her perfect match Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) live together and are sure they are happy because they tested 100% positive. Anna is looking for a job as a teacher, but instead accepts a job at the Love Institute run by Duncan (Luke Wilson). In addition to testing fingernails, this Institute teaches people skills for how to be in love.
Amir (Riz Ahmed) works at the Institute, too. Anna is attracted to him. He is attracted to her. But, of course, that’s impossible. Right?
Even in a film where all the actors are being flat and unexpressive, Jessie Buckley manages to be emotionally convincing. And she sings a bit, which is a treat because she’s a very good singer. (See Wild Rose for proof.)
This is not the kind of film that gets universal acclaim. Some people may find it interesting but others will be put off by the ridiculous sci-fi premise and the slow, quiet pacing. I got hooked on whether or not Anna was going to use her own heart and mind to decide if she loved someone and watched in anticipation of that answer.
This is an Apple TV+ production. If you watch it, please let me know what you thought of it.
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