Panic Room (2002), Cert 15. Director - David Fincher Writer - David Koepp. Starring - Jodie Foster, Forest Whitaker, Jared Leto, Kristen Stewart & Dwight Yoakam. |
Premise - When recently
divorced Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) and her daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart)
move into a large Manhattan townhouse they expect to start a new life.
However, three criminals (Forest Whitaker, Jared Leto & Dwight Yoakam) break
into the house looking for $3m that resides in the houses 'Panic Room', a
completely impenetrable bunker-style room installed by the houses previous
owner. Meg and daughter flee to the panic room to escape the criminals and
so starts a game of cat and mouse.
Panic Room is an excellent suspense thriller, that no doubt, wouldn't have
been half the film it is had it not been made by David Fincher. Fincher is a
master craftsman and one of my favourite directors currently making films.
His style is dark, gloomy, claustrophobic and it's suits this film down to a
tee.
Right form the ultra stylish opening credits sequence which sees the films
credits seemingly floating above the streets of New York we know that we are
in for a visual treat. Once the film starts in earnest Fincher seems to let
the camera go, it's has free reign to wander wherever it wants. Whether
that's between floors, through key locks, air vents, rubber tubing,
wherever. The camera floats effortlessly all over the place, it's an effect
that Fincher used in 'Fight Club', but it is brought to the fore here and
used to further accentuate the claustrophobic feel of the film.
Further adding to this feel is the fact that practically the entire film
takes place inside the house. Fincher films the inside of the house with his
usual dark style, using minimal light to rack up the tension. The tension in
the film starts very early on in the film, we are introduced to the
characters and the house, then Fincher goes to work on the audience and he
doesn't let go until the end of the film.
One of the most gripping scenes is when Meg and daughter are racing to get
into the panic room ahead of the crooks, it's a wonderfully crafted sequence
that leaves you on the edge of your seating wanting more.
Other part's of the films success are David Koepp's script and Howard
Shore's score. The script is tight and even occasionally offers up a laugh
or two(nods are made to 'Home Alone' on more than one occasion). Some
popcorn story mechanics are thrown in for good measure such as Meg being
Claustrophobic and Sarah being a Diabetic, but you can forgive them these
clichés as the film doesn't dwell on them and uses them in somewhat original
ways. Shore's script is as grand as any he's done, it's full of sweeping
orchestral pieces that are a perfect fit to the on screen action.
It must be a real joy for a director to get an actress of Jodie Fosters
quality in your film (although the role was originally Nicole Kidman's, but
she had to pass after an injury on the set of 'Moulin Rouge!'. Kidman can
still be heard however, in a cameo as Meg's Ex's new lover). Foster hasn't
made many films of late and it's nice to be reminded of just how good an
actress she really is. She plays Meg perfectly, not as a whiny, screaming,
distraught mother or as a pumped up action heroine, but somewhere
in-between. Her take on Meg is of a women who is nothing special, but will
take extreme action to protect her daughter. She might not like what she has
to do, but she has to do it. It really is an excellent performance.
My hatred of kids in films is well documented, but Kristen Stewart as the
young Sarah is a real find. Yes, sometimes she looks like a young boy, but
she gives a really good performance and is utterly convincing.
The thieves are also excellent. They play of each other so well, yet each
has a different and striking personality. Forest Whitaker is the brains of
the group who at his heart is a morally good man, he sees the job as a means
to an end. Jared Leto is a drug addicted hot head, who acts first then asks
questions. Dwight Yoakum is a wild card, hidden behind a balaclava his
motives aren't clear, but he appears dangerous. All three men give excellent
performances, especially Whitaker, wiping clean the stain of 'Battlefield
Earth' from his CV. Leto adds to his bulging resume of good films and Yoakam
is definitely one to watch out for in the future.
One thing that did bother me about the film however is an unneeded epilogue.
It takes away from the powerful ending of the film and given the chance I
would have left it on the cutting room floor. It's not that big a deal
though, it's only a couple of minutes long and doesn't alter the fact that
Panic Room is a superlative film.
Panic Room can easily hold it's head high amongst Finchers suberb other
work. It's testament to his skill as a director that he can take what is at
it's core a standard Hollywood suspense thriller and lift it high above
these conventions. Questionable epilogue aside Panic room is a taught,
stylish, Hitchcockian thriller that should rate highly in my best of 2002
end of year list.
8/10 for Panic Room. Poster Quote - Fincher does it again. |