thrilling

Rating: 9/10 (1 August 1999)

Far better than any Bruce Willis movie that isn't directed by Gilliam or Tarantino has any right to be!! He actually is pretty good in it too! An ode to such great 70's thrillers as Roeg's Don't Look Now and Friedkin's The Exorcist, this film is moody, disturbing and visually fascinating. Using all forms of symbolism, including arches, frames within frames (and sometimes frames within frames within frames), spirals, shapes, Dutch angles, cinema verite and deep reds, Tak Fujimoto proves once again why he is one of the most respected and sought after DP's in Hollywood. Toni Colette, I love you!!! I forgive you for Cosi!! She shines in this film. She could have gone for the whiny over the top single mom but instead she walks that fine wire between realism and a typical Hollywood stereotype. Fantastic! If she decides to stay in Hollywood I hope she continues to find great scripts and roles she can make her own. I have decided that Haley Joel Osment is one of those Webster people who only look 10 but are really 60 because no child should be able to emote so well! Lucas, watch this and realize what you could have had! Jake Lloyd, watch this film 40 times and go back to acting school! Mark Whalberg. Wow! I didn't have a clue that it was him until I was reminded in the closing credits that he was even in it. I knew he could act before but he brings intensity to this performance that stays with you throughout the film's duration. Well done. If I have one complaint it is that I felt the jumps and make-up effects were unnecessary. We have seen a child throw up green pee soup before, we don't need to see it again. But it doesn't break the mood. Proof that Hollywood can punch out eerie and smart films when they want to. {If you like this one, and even if you don't, check out Roeg's Don't Look Now!! Maybe it will inspire you as well. Or at least make it harder to fall asleep!}