As the name implies, the main character, Griff, is just about invisible to everyone around him. Most of his co-workers ignore him. The only one that doesn't, bullies him to no end. He has no family except an exasperated brother who feels compelled to guide Griff down the life path he chooses. But Griff has a secret, at night, he prowls the streets, protecting innocents and stopping crime. Inexplicably, doesn't really have a superhero name in the usual sense. He still refers to himself as Griff. So much for a secret identity. Being a superhero in the real world has plent of danger, however. People are not always predictable, situations are not always black and white, and most of all, things are not always what they appear.
Griff the Invisible takes a unique look at superheroes in a real world setting. Griff has no superpowers and doesn't even really have any gadgets except his computers and telescope. When he sees someone who needs help on the screen or in the lens, he changes into his costume and literally runs to their aide. From the very beginning it is fairly obvious that Griff is not quite your everyday person. He is painfully shy and doesn't ever truly appear comfortable outside of his superhero suit. In costume, however, Griff is confident, capable, and even a little outgoing. Despite his difficult daytime life, Griff seems perfectly content with the way things are.
Everything is turned upside down when his brother introduces him to the girl he is dating, Melody. Melody is just as eccentric and unique as Griff. In our first introduction to her, she is making her 51st attempting to walk through a wall. Although she is dating his brother, Melody finds herself falling for the kindred spirit she finds in Griff.
I have only seen Ryan Kwanten play Jason Stackhouse in True Blood so this role is a major departure from that role and he pulls it off incredibly well. He plays the introverted victim of Griff with heart and sincerity. I won't say why, but he is able to make the viewer feel a wide range of emotions from excitement to pity. I was truly impressed with Kwanten's performance. Maeve Dermody embodied Melody perfectly. I don't think I have ever seen her in any other film but she owned this role. Melody felt real. Her body language, vocal tone, and even the way she looks at other characters totally steals the show.
The direction and writing are pretty tight, the pacing moves the story well. The first two acts are truly unique; unfortunately, the third act falls a little flat with predictability and a few clichés. Despite those complaints toward the end, I still really enjoyed the film. It was nice to see a more realistic take on the joys, risks, and even legalities of putting on a costume and taking the law into your own hands. Griff the Invisible was a breath of fresh superhero air.
