I watched this back when it was made public back in march on the back of an actress - who plays Jane - that i follow when she posted about it. i will try and make this review as analytical and fair as i can based on what i saw and on my personal opinions.
Pros - The concept behind this film is really good and I was absolutely elated to finally get to see it. I'd seen it floating about before online but never had the chance. The camera work is really good and the locations are very atmospheric. it was also great to see two great actors in it namely Rachel and Nigel who I am huge fans of both and who both give consistently great performances.
Cons - LOUD soundtrack that feels out of place and broken scenes that feel disjointed and cut short. Full cast not used correctly.
I will try to elaborate on these points. The film starts out nicely though the music already hints its going to be a bit mismatched and odd. Its not bad by any means but it doesn't fit that well and the levels are altogether FUBAR throughout.
The premise is a fun idea and definitely one I felt needed extra extension. I had to watch it a second time to get some of the details and understand the cut aways to past stuff better.
Some of the other parts like Jane sneaking around was an interesting choice but I dont feel it was needed so much because this felt more psychological rather than paranormal. it was as if it wasn't entirely sure what sort of film it wanted to be and I was confused why this was included. The phone ringing seemed as if that was all in Maxs head so why add spooky stuff if you want to focus on a psychological matter? I guess thats just my own take on it.
The acting is decent enough but some of the scenes feel chopped up and cut short in places. I understand short movies have timing to consider but some of the stuff feels hammy as a result of it and it takes away from the immersion. For instance the strangling scene. We see Max come in to reason with her but we only get to see her for a short amount of time. Her face gives away that shes concerned but then we dont see the terror on her face as Max is advancing because of the choice of editing. we dont see the struggle because it was clearly edited out if it was done - which I'm assuming it was based on comments from Janes actress on her personal blogs. And the slow motion fall onto the bed is a bit cheesy. but then ive never liked those sorts of slow mo things in films anyway. Then thats it. Its all focused on Max gearing up for a struggle. We expect a bit of a tussle and suddenly oh. Janes dead. Okay then that was fast considering he just put his hands round her throat seconds ago.
As for the actors themselves I feel the cast wasn't used to their full potential. it had a large focus on Max which was perfectly understandable and definitely needed but we had loads of screentime for Richard who was just investigating and his relationship to begin with was not clear at all. we needed more Jane to sympathise with her death and to understand her and Max's relationship as well as hers with Richard which i feel needed more depth. Even something as simple as fake family film footage. missed trick! use a good actress if you have her! Jane was cheated with the little screentime she had and it became - if truth be told - the Bern show like the past films by this film studio. (See In Limbo which i was able to watch a while ago.)
This is also a problem with using the same actors more than once in your work. if you dont use them to their fullest people get bored of the same people taking limelight like in this case where Richard has loads of focus leaving any backstory for Jane bland and limited. How did her and Max meet? Are they actually lovers? Were her and Richard close? How did she get to the place she was? with a plot like this one where its clear one character in particular has a specific relationship to both of the male leads they need the time to show that off. in this instance leaving it to the imagination - another problem in a lot of modern made thrillers and psych films - doesnt work and it desperately needs the focus for the viewer to understand sympathize and feel something and understand motives and emotions.
The location was absolutely stunning. that dilapidated building was a really good find and it added to the atmosphere and general uncomfortable feeling that surrounds Max wherever he goes. the scene with the dress was skin crawling dizzying and well done. The frenzy of the blood spatter on the canvas and that choice shot viewing up as he splatters it around was a really nice touch which I feel lends a unique aspect to the style of the film.
The plot itself definitely had me interested. A good old missing person story with some deep sinister roots. A character who was clearly up to no good which is everyones weakness really. who can resist a film with a character played so well that chills your blood? but again some of it being left vague because of probable timing constraints left me feeling agitated and wanting more.
Please consider making this a feature film using the same cast to their full potential and giving us the full experience I feel this movie truly deserves!
Pros - The concept behind this film is really good and I was absolutely elated to finally get to see it. I'd seen it floating about before online but never had the chance. The camera work is really good and the locations are very atmospheric. it was also great to see two great actors in it namely Rachel and Nigel who I am huge fans of both and who both give consistently great performances.
Cons - LOUD soundtrack that feels out of place and broken scenes that feel disjointed and cut short. Full cast not used correctly.
I will try to elaborate on these points. The film starts out nicely though the music already hints its going to be a bit mismatched and odd. Its not bad by any means but it doesn't fit that well and the levels are altogether FUBAR throughout.
The premise is a fun idea and definitely one I felt needed extra extension. I had to watch it a second time to get some of the details and understand the cut aways to past stuff better.
Some of the other parts like Jane sneaking around was an interesting choice but I dont feel it was needed so much because this felt more psychological rather than paranormal. it was as if it wasn't entirely sure what sort of film it wanted to be and I was confused why this was included. The phone ringing seemed as if that was all in Maxs head so why add spooky stuff if you want to focus on a psychological matter? I guess thats just my own take on it.
The acting is decent enough but some of the scenes feel chopped up and cut short in places. I understand short movies have timing to consider but some of the stuff feels hammy as a result of it and it takes away from the immersion. For instance the strangling scene. We see Max come in to reason with her but we only get to see her for a short amount of time. Her face gives away that shes concerned but then we dont see the terror on her face as Max is advancing because of the choice of editing. we dont see the struggle because it was clearly edited out if it was done - which I'm assuming it was based on comments from Janes actress on her personal blogs. And the slow motion fall onto the bed is a bit cheesy. but then ive never liked those sorts of slow mo things in films anyway. Then thats it. Its all focused on Max gearing up for a struggle. We expect a bit of a tussle and suddenly oh. Janes dead. Okay then that was fast considering he just put his hands round her throat seconds ago.
As for the actors themselves I feel the cast wasn't used to their full potential. it had a large focus on Max which was perfectly understandable and definitely needed but we had loads of screentime for Richard who was just investigating and his relationship to begin with was not clear at all. we needed more Jane to sympathise with her death and to understand her and Max's relationship as well as hers with Richard which i feel needed more depth. Even something as simple as fake family film footage. missed trick! use a good actress if you have her! Jane was cheated with the little screentime she had and it became - if truth be told - the Bern show like the past films by this film studio. (See In Limbo which i was able to watch a while ago.)
This is also a problem with using the same actors more than once in your work. if you dont use them to their fullest people get bored of the same people taking limelight like in this case where Richard has loads of focus leaving any backstory for Jane bland and limited. How did her and Max meet? Are they actually lovers? Were her and Richard close? How did she get to the place she was? with a plot like this one where its clear one character in particular has a specific relationship to both of the male leads they need the time to show that off. in this instance leaving it to the imagination - another problem in a lot of modern made thrillers and psych films - doesnt work and it desperately needs the focus for the viewer to understand sympathize and feel something and understand motives and emotions.
The location was absolutely stunning. that dilapidated building was a really good find and it added to the atmosphere and general uncomfortable feeling that surrounds Max wherever he goes. the scene with the dress was skin crawling dizzying and well done. The frenzy of the blood spatter on the canvas and that choice shot viewing up as he splatters it around was a really nice touch which I feel lends a unique aspect to the style of the film.
The plot itself definitely had me interested. A good old missing person story with some deep sinister roots. A character who was clearly up to no good which is everyones weakness really. who can resist a film with a character played so well that chills your blood? but again some of it being left vague because of probable timing constraints left me feeling agitated and wanting more.
Please consider making this a feature film using the same cast to their full potential and giving us the full experience I feel this movie truly deserves!
