I'm completely torn....

Rating: 8/10 (26 July 1999)

Well this movie left me totally unsure of how I feel about movies in general. We are a voyeuristic society, no denying that. But I am afraid this film crossed the line. While waiting in line to buy tickets for this movie, I asked a cinema staffer if they had been receiving any good reactions to this film. Her respsonse; "People who go in thinking the film is real are disappointed, but I saw it the other day and LOVED it!" So when I stumbled out of the theater, thoroughly scared, I had to think back to that comment and wonder what is WRONG WITH PEOPLE? Had I gone into that movie thinking it was authentic footage I would have come out physically ill. I don't know how to judge this movie. It was some of the most excellent acting I have ever seen...leading people to believe, I'm sure that it is real. And the dialogue was tremendous, the most realistic that I've ever been witness to...but does that mean I recommend it? I can't tell yet. I saw it over a week ago, but I'm still not sure how I feel. Yes, it is an incredible piece of work. But are we, as a society, crossing the line of voyeurism and taking it too far? What is the difference between this and a snuff film? Watching something you are led to believe is real, or in fact, is real... I don't know if I should just applaud the sculpted work that it is, but I can't help wishing people wouldn't indulge in a movie like this.