Deft and creepy, exceedingly well-acted and directed

Rating: 10/10 (8 August 1999)

What a renaissance we're having. In the wake of such blockbuster duds as "The Phantom Menace" and the oh-so-dreadful remake of "The Haunting" we find such soft-but-powerful films coming our way as "A Simple Plan", "The Blair Witch Project", and "Life is Beautiful". It's encouraging, because it tells us that in the midst of this banal "bigger is better" mentality, there are still some studios, some writers, so actors, and some directors who know better.
This is a result of such a collaboration. Its power resides not in spectral special effects and big explosions in the middle of city streets (sending cars flying into the air, no less), but instead on the requisite basics so often neglected these days: a solid script, talented actors, a gripping score, and deft directing. This film has all of these.
I could write endlessly on this film, but I can sum it up as follows: this is an intelligent, moving, exciting, and chilling film.
Or to put it another way: this is not The Phantom Menace.
Highly recommended.