I don’t expect movies to be 100% real life, but I loose my interest when there are too many short cuts taken by the writers, or the individuals that cut a film to leave holes in the flow. No one in life jumps around the world in a moments notice, too many things just being perfectly timed without hiccups, or endless hiccups at every turn. Emily in Emily the Criminal (Netflix) didn’t suddenly have super firearm skills when things got tough. She didn’t instantly become a car handling chase expert when someone takes after her. Every decision is based on reasonable life experiences and took a path that a person would that has a reasonably clear head. Sure, there are those that would have fallen apart with the challenges that presented themselves. Also, there isn’t a ‘snapped’ moment where there is finally enough, instead like in live, things build up and people make decisions based on their life.

Emily the Criminal is very well produced, with pacing flows nicely, so the movie isn’t just constant edge of the seat action, as well non of the watching a person go through a process that feels like a fill to get the movie to the right length (Disney has resorted to that now, sadly). There are personal moments that most will relate to. A date that isn’t a date, taking someone to see mom to keep mom happy shows an understanding of an individuals family value without having to say anything.

The ending is a logical path that will surprise but yet not be a surprise, with enough explained to let the viewer fill in what may have happened and what may happen in the future. The director doesn’t find the need to have a voice over explaining. Actually, there are several possible paths for supporting individuals that could have happened to get to the ending, the director chose to show enough to know nothing good took place without having to nail down the particulars.

I’m sure Emily the Criminal will be overlooked by those wanting big explosions or long romances. For folks that want enough tense moments, recognizable actors/actresses, real life feeling challenges, and decisions they feel they need to think how they would have gone, this is a must experience movie.