This low-budget triptych is a collaboration among three directors and features one story with three distinct tones. The basic plot is that something has disrupted all mass communication forms; televisions only emit a disturbing pattern and noise. More importantly, the signal has distorted people’s perceptions, turning ordinary people into killers. The first section, called “Crazy in Love” is more or less a straight horror film following a cheating wife deciding about whether to leave with her lover. The second part, “The Jealousy Monster,” turns unexpectedly comical as the the signal distorts the reality of the survivors. A very recent widow wavers between mournfulness and concern about whether her party guests will show up. This is probably the only movie I’ve seen where “Who wants cocktails?” is a big laugh line. The third part, “Escape from Terminus,” continues playing out the confusion of the main characters, but with a more dramatic, humanistic tone.
There is some graphic violence utilizing a wide variety of household items, but the some of the grisliest scenes are off camera. AJ Bowen, as the cuckolded husband and apparent villain, gives a varied and nuanced performance that helps to hold this surprisingly original movie together. (The main plot idea is similar to the Stephen King novel Cell, but how it plays out is quite different.)
IMDB link
viewed 2/19/08; reviewed 2/21/08
No comments:
Post a Comment