Embrace The Film: Hard Candy Review

This was great!

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

This is one of those movies that word of mouth is its only saving grace. This movie came out in 2005 way before we knew who Ellen Page was. The movie was directed by David Slade and co starred Patrick Wilson. This movie went down as one of the most disturbing pieces of cinema in the decade of the 00's. Because of this tag I had to give it a view. I must say this story is very disturbing but still manages to give great performances and tell an emotional story about child molestation, rape, and revenge. A must see for all.

STORY

It begins where all predators go to find their victims...an internet chat room. Jeff, played by Patrick Wilson, convinces Hayley, played by Ellen Page, to meet in a coffee shop. There they talk about their interests and their attraction to one another. They then decide to go to his apartment to take some pictures of Hayley. You know the safe perverted kind. She fixes him a couple of alcoholic drinks that may have been too strong for him. While he's taking the photos of her he passes out on the floor helplessly. Turns out Hayley isn't who she say's she is.

Hottie

She ties him to a chair and informs him that he was drugged for a very important reason. She wants him to admit the truth about his secret life and tell her why he did what he did. There's one problem though. He claims that she has the wrong guy and that everything he was doing was being done because of his loneliness. They go back and forth with her accusing him and Jeff stating his innocence. She goes through his personal belongings and finds some of his dirty secrets. None of them are jail worthy, however, until she finds his secret stash of photos taken of the victim. At that point it looked as if Jeff was lying all along but was he?

Child Molester

The pictures were the last straw for her and she begins to torture him. She ties him to a table with his pants down ready to perform an operation. She's going to cut his balls off!

I'm going to cut your balls off!

He tries to escape but can't. He admits to some truth of what happened but still says that he isn't the killer, that she has the wrong guy. Her head is as hard as a mule and doesn't believe anything he says. Before it ends the truth is revealed but it still leaves many questions to be answered. Who is Hayley and where did she come from? Did Jeff really get outsmarted by a teenager? And my favorite question...did she really cut off his balls?

ACTING

If this film wasn't so controversial it would have gotten two Oscar nods for best actress and best actor. Ellen Page gave her best performance she has ever done here. The chemistry between her and Patrick is phenomenal. You really can't tell if he was lying or telling the truth and if Hayley was really a nut. Ellen was able to keep her kiddie features while acting like a real evil witch. Both these actors shined on film.

They need oscars

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The cinematography here was one of the best I've seen in any film. The director filmed this beautifully. Everything pops out at you in detail and looks crisp. The blood seemed real enough for the injuries that they suffered but the art work and cinematography is what makes this film look so great. It's real eye candy for the eyes.

Hard days work

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The film was written by Brian Nelson and directed by David Slade. These two will work together again on 30 days of night. Brian did a great job with this story. The dialog is dead on and believable for each character. There is no such thing as cheesiness here which makes this movie enjoyable. David is a great director and this film is the reason why he is a success today. I don't think I've ever seen an independent film shot this well.

Little ride riding hood?

THE END

Despite it's disturbing content this film is a must see. You won't regret watching this piece of cinema history. The acting is one of the best I've seen ever. The director and writer were a great team together that made this film worth while. Buy the DVD and give it a view privately or with your boyfriend or husband. I'm sure it will make him think twice about wronging a woman.