Tropic Sprockets / Puzzle

Here is the American remake of an Argentinian film “Rompecabezas” or “Puzzle.” It is a disarmingly low key story, an analysis of something between a romance and a friendship that packs a quiet but decisive punch. It is direct and organic without frills and refreshingly very much like real life.

Agnes (Kelly Macdonald) is married to Louie, a gruff mechanic (David Denman) in New Jersey. She is not depressed but she is also not happy. She pines for something more.One day it happens: Agnes discovers that she likes jigsaw puzzles, the bigger the better. Louie makes fun of her. After all, kids do puzzles. Agnes is unfazed and goes to the puzzle store to purchase a new challenge. Then there is a sign at the counter that asks for a “puzzle partner.” Intrigued, Agnes texts the number below. It is a male. They agree to meet.

The next day Robert, a well to do electricity pioneer (played by the iconic Indian actor Irrfan Khan) answers the door. Robert makes a sly quip about the Ash Wednesday mark on her forehead, but the reserved Agnes would rather get to the puzzles.

Once home, the sloppy Louie dismisses his wife’s puzzling. Resentment builds.

Robert needs Agnes to partner with him for a championship. Agnes accepts and resolves to lie to her husband, telling him she has to help her aunt as an aide. Working on puzzles with the thoughtful and kind Robert is a relief for Agnes who is harried and unfulfilled. A sort of attraction ensues.

Kelly Macdonald is perfect, as is the great actor Khan. He is a Zen foil to Macdonald’s anxiety. He also has an odd rakish quality. But far from being a threat, it makes him endearing and there is a twinkle in his eye. Curiously too, whenever Robert is onscreen, he appears as if he has just woken up from sleep. But contrary to our expectation, Robert frequently does not rise out of a luxurious slumber but rather restless worry. At one point he says, “There was an earthquake!” In another scene, he mumbles nervously, “Election results, too close to call.” Robert is himself a contradiction and a surprise. On the outside, he appears at ease in nice clothes but on the inside, he worries, knowing full well that he cannot change events. It is this blend of opposites that attracts Agnes to Robert.

Soon, Agnes steals a very deep kiss.

This is a film that is of its time, apropos for the MeToo movement. At one point, the rebuffed husband demands “Now tell me everything.” “I don’t have to tell you anything,” Agnes responds.

To its credit, this is not an agenda or a message film but simply a generous story of either a friendship laced with romance, or a romance laced with a friendship of shared passions.

There are fine performances throughout. Bubba Weiler is Ziggy, an awkward son who wants to be a chef and Austin Abrams is Gabe, a self-centered son who wants to move to Tibet with his girlfriend. Both roles are realistic and illustrate change.

This is a film about the joy of friendship and also, in its own insulated way, the very mystery of life.

Robert is Agnes’ agent of change. Through him, there are new possibilities and we are never quite sure what these possibilities entail. “Puzzle” wonderfully emphasizes the pushes and pulls of chemistry, be it friendship or romance. Compact yet engaging, its charm builds gradually and it manages an unexpected potency that is more resonant than many mainstream films twice its size.