Just written my 'product of the week' review - go look! xx
Just written my 'product of the week' review - go look! xx
Member since:21.06.2006
Reviews:30
Members who trust:18
I went to see this film at the cinema yesterday (Orange Wednesdays are for winners) not knowing much about it. I'd seen the TV advertisements, but they don't give you much of the story. I think the best way to watch this film is to let it surprise you, so I won't give away too much. Just skip the last section if you haven't seen the film yet.
The Film
It is a really arty-looking film, and I really liked the fact that it wasn't one of those films that will give you a lingering shot on a wardrobe to show you that's where the bad guy is hiding, (watch White Noise for an example of A Badly Directed Film), it lets you work out a lot of stuff by yourself.
I think most people, just knowing its basic storyline involves a paedophile and a young girl, will assume something along the lines of 'creepy old man taking advantage of provocative young girl', and it really challenges all those preconcieved ideas you might start watching it with.
The girl, Hayley, played by Ellen Paige, who will undoubtedly become the highest
paid actress in the world within a few years, has boy-hair. She's not over-developed for her age, or wearing anything skimpy. She's intelligent, confident and at the start of the film, I wished I was that cool as a 14-year-old.
The guy, Jeff, played by Patrick Wilson, of Phantom of the Opera non-fame, was equally surprising. He is a 32-year old photographer, quite attractive, very sophisticated-looking and living in a rather impressive house. He's not creepy, he doesn't flirt too much and he definately isn't old. As Hayley says, "you don't look like the kind of guy who has to pick up girls over the internet"
The film doesn't show you anything gory or sexual. There were a few fight scenes, but nothing was gratuitous or bloody. I really respect that in a film. I won't tell you any more in this bit because I think that's all you need to know without spoiling it.
Trivia
The film only has a cast of 5, and was filmed in less than three weeks. It's a certificate 18, but since the subject matter involves minors I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to see it. If anyone needs to have their idea of "creepy old men" adjusted, it's the children that this might actually happen to. I think it's only the second half of the film that I wouldn't show to my kids. I'd definately reccomend watching it yourself first, anyway.
Patrick Wilson .... Jeff Kohlver Ellen Page .... Hayley Stark Sandra Oh .... Judy Tokuda Odessa Rae .... Janelle Rogers Gilbert John .... Nighthawks Clerk
My Thoughts
The film started by drawing you into the storyline subtly, all the twists were set up well. I liked the way that in the first half of the film you respected Hayley and were on her side, but you also still half-believed Jeff... it took until the irrefutable evidence was found for you to see past his well-polished excuses. It was realistic.
The twist is well-explained, and really well done. The main part of the plot, which will have you squirming in your seat is also really well done. You have no doubt that it is justified, but after that, it goes downhill a bit. Hayley turns into a bit of a psycho and in doing so undermines the whole moral stance of the film. You start to feel sorry for Jeff, which leaves the ending a bit ambiguous. Who is the victim?
I don't think it would have been to didactic to have continued with Jeff being undoubtedly the bad guy. After all, who is going to challenge the idea of a paedophile being punished? I did like the fact that you get to see a bit of Jeff's background during the film, but I think there should have been more of that, and less of Hayley being a psycho in the second half. I think that would have kept it as a serious picture, instead of going a bit hollywood and throwing in some pointless fight scenes for no apparent reason.
I'd reccomend everyone to see this film, because it's a subject that more people need to be aware of, especially since anyone and their children could be affected by it in real life. I just think the ending could have gone better. I think they succumbed to the pressures of making it a Popcorn Movie for cinemas, which is a shame.
I give it 4 stars, 5 for the first half, and -1 for a slightly disappointing ending.
EDIT - Removed spoilers now.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
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Jul 6th, 2006
(Jul 8th, 2006)
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