James Wan and Leigh Whannell Take Us to the Bathroom

Rating: 7/10 (6 March 2010)

Photographer Leigh Whannell (as Adam) wakes up submerged in a bathtub, and finds himself also chained to some presumably very sturdy pipes. Seemingly stricken with amnesia, he finds he has a companion in doctor Cary Elwes (as Lawrence Gordon), who is also chained inside, closer to the toilet. Neither of the men need to use the facilities, but Mr. Elwes probably "goes" during the running time. The bathroom is not only filthy, but also has a fat, lifeless body situated center stage. At first, it seems like the body may be decapitated, but it's more like a smashed-up head.
The men are given a "Saw" to escape with - it won't cut through their steel leg irons, but it will cut through their ankles. They are given until 6:00 to accomplish their mission, which is different for each man (as you'll see). Basically (the way I took it), the man who saws off the first leg wins. The plot unfolds in flashbacks. You get a related kidnapping, a series of gruesome murders, and investigator Danny Glover (as David Tapp). James Wan, who directed this nicely set-up story with co-star/writer Whannell, does very well in the roomy bathroom, but ambles outside.
******* Saw (1/19/04) James Wan ~ Leigh Whannell, Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Michael Anderson