A more Brutal Phonebooth

Rating: 7/10 (27 February 2005)

Saw is essentially about a man who captures his victims based on their lack of appreciation of life. In Phonebooth the killer bases his victims on their lack of appreciation towards their spouses. Both killers play a "game" or test their victims and if they pass they are set free. The difference between the two is the amount of gore presented in each movie (SAW being the "gorier" of the two).
The movie goes back and fourth in time slowly revealing what the real story between the two main characters is and obviously, near the end, the identity of the killer. This is done with great style and perfect pacing that doesn't leave the audience shifting in discomfort. The killers way of "testing' his victims is very creative thus keeping the audience interested as long as you are not queasy. It's disturbingly pleasurable. However, at some points in the movie the acting - especially that of the doctor - is somewhat questionable. It was rare, but I sometimes found myself not quite convinced of the character's emotions. But beyond that, 95 % of the time, you really do fear and feel for the two men. There was also one scene where you hear the doll laugh and that didn't quite have the effect I think the director wanted. This is probably what separates Phonebooth and Saw. Throughout Phonebooth you are in constant fear for Colin Farell's character and the acting is superb. There are just a few glitches in Saw that aren't present in Phonebooth.
In all I recommend Saw for anyone who is a Horror buff or is interested in psychopaths like yours truly. It's a new idea that, for once, isn't destroyed by the director trying too hard.