A weird yet intriguing thriller

Rating: 8/10 (25 September 2003)

* Terrible * * Below Par * * * Not Bad * * * * Good * * * * * Brilliant
WARNING *POSSIBLE SPOILERS*
Ten very different strangers,a chauffeur and an 80's actress he is driving,a cop with a convict in his custody,a newly married couple,a call girl and a middle aged couple with a young boy become stranded in a motel during a terrible storm.Things take a turn for the worse however when each of them begin to be brutally murdered by an unknown killer.As the night rolls on and their numbers dwindle they begin to realize that they have more in common than meets the eye.Is it all just a coincidence or is there some ingenious, depraved mind that has some how set thing up so that all of them would meet in the motel?
This in not so much your typical slasher movie than a well made psychological thriller which has obviously been inspired by Agathe Christies novel 'Ten little Niggers'(which was changed to 'Ten little Indians' for the big screen adaptation by those of a more politically correct nature).Not only that but there is also a hint that director James Mangold was also influenced by Alfred Hitchcock.The movies hotel is a grim reminder of one of his finest movies which was the infamous 'Psycho'.
The movies premise although strange (you'll understand what I mean when you see the movie) is by no means fairly original.Even it does rip of Christie and Hitchcock's work a fair bit.A good edge of your seat script from screen scribe Michael Cooney and smooth direction from Mangold certainly don't hurt the movie.They're aided by great performances from a good cast that includes John Cusack,Ray Liotta,Amanda Peet(The Whole Nine Yards),Alfred Molina(Maverick) and 'Scrubs' own John C.McGinley in a more geeky roll.

Sadly however the movies title is a bit of a give away and didn't make the task of working out one of the movies plot twists very hard.The fact as well that all ten people are somehow linked made part of the outcome a bit obvious.That said however the second twist does take you by surprise and would certainly demand a second viewing just so you could get all those clues that you missed the first time around.
The end result is an above average thriller that is not with out it's faults.Let's be honest.There's been far worse thriller's than this that have been made in the past.You need only look at the likes of the dull 'Primal Fear' and the predictable,lame dud that was 'Sliver'.Trust me if you want a good nights entertainment I would suggest this.It's not perfect but you won't be totally disappointed.
Robs Rating: * * * *