THE RESIDENT is one of those very well made (directed by Antii Jokinen), well photographed (cinematographer Guillermo Navarro), well scored (music by John Ottman), well cast films that just doesn't manage to get off the ground. The idea for the film is OK but the script written by Robert Orr and director Jokinen is so slim that the film could have been a successful short: everything you need to know is in the trailer. A thriller it is not, but the people in the film are so attractive that much is forgivable.
Hard working ER Doctor/Surgeon Juliet Devereau (Hilary Swank - who also is executive producer here) is bruised by a broken relationship: Jack (Lee Pace, well remembered for his role in 'A Soldier's Girl') betrayed their relationship. Juliet needs a change and looks for an apartment in New York City, eventually finding an affordable gorgeous space being renovated by owner Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, handsome and charismatic). Max is strange but pleasant and goes out of his way to please Juliet. Max lives in the apartment house as does his grandfather August (Christopher Lee), and when the emotionally vulnerable Juliet is attracted to Max, Max is the one who shuts down. But the chemistry has begun and Max spies on Juliet, stalking her, making videos of her in bath, obsessing over her etc. Juliet meanwhile reconnects with Jack, a fact that motivates Max to change the direction of his approach to Juliet. What follows is a series of strange incidents that the audience will know about ahead of time and the ending just sort of happens - without much suspense or caring from the viewer.
Swank is up to par in her professionalism and both Morgan and Pace are interesting to watch. The film has some nice effects and the cast is attractive and maybe that is enough for a no- brainer film. Pleasant but non-involving.
Grady Harp
Hard working ER Doctor/Surgeon Juliet Devereau (Hilary Swank - who also is executive producer here) is bruised by a broken relationship: Jack (Lee Pace, well remembered for his role in 'A Soldier's Girl') betrayed their relationship. Juliet needs a change and looks for an apartment in New York City, eventually finding an affordable gorgeous space being renovated by owner Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, handsome and charismatic). Max is strange but pleasant and goes out of his way to please Juliet. Max lives in the apartment house as does his grandfather August (Christopher Lee), and when the emotionally vulnerable Juliet is attracted to Max, Max is the one who shuts down. But the chemistry has begun and Max spies on Juliet, stalking her, making videos of her in bath, obsessing over her etc. Juliet meanwhile reconnects with Jack, a fact that motivates Max to change the direction of his approach to Juliet. What follows is a series of strange incidents that the audience will know about ahead of time and the ending just sort of happens - without much suspense or caring from the viewer.
Swank is up to par in her professionalism and both Morgan and Pace are interesting to watch. The film has some nice effects and the cast is attractive and maybe that is enough for a no- brainer film. Pleasant but non-involving.
Grady Harp