Film Review
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Director |
Jean-Baptiste Andrea
Fabrice Canepa
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Cast |
Ray Wise
Lin Shaye
Mick Cain
Alexandra Holden
Amber Smith
Billy Asher
Steve Valentine
Karen S. Gregan
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Distributor |
Pathe Distribution
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Running Time |
85 Minutes
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Certification (UK / US) |
15 / R
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Reviewed By
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Albert Koleba
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DEAD END (2003)
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Dead End, for the most part, is a pretty good film, especially when you take into consideration that most of the movie takes place in a car. I say, "for the most part" because Dead End's ending is really weak. I won't ruin the ending for anyone who hasn't seen it, but I will say that the movie felt like it was leading toward something a little more interesting or more substantial. The ending we are given feels sort of forced and cheap, which is sad really because the movie is good for most part and just deserved a better finale. This doesn't completely destroy the film but it does make it a bit disappointing.
For a movie that mostly takes place in a car, you need good performances and some decent dialogue which Dead End provides for the most part. Most of the cast is good, but Ray Wise stands out as Frank Harrington, a man who has been taking a drive with his family to visit his in laws for the past 20 years every Christmas. But this time around he decides to take a shortcut, which is something he's never done before and is something he's going to regret for a long, long time. Wise is excellent in the role. He's hilarious and when crazy things start to happen and Frank starts to unravel, Wise gets even better. Lin Shaye is also funny as Frank's wife Laura, as is Mick Cain who plays their son Richard. The gorgeous Amber Smith nicely plays a seemingly crazy woman who might also be a killer of some description.
When people start dying, strange things begin to happen. Whenever somebody dies, a black car with a driver who can't be seen passes the family, carrying the victim who can be seen pounding away at the back window. Also, for some strange reason, the Harrington family can't seem to get to their destination. Maps do nothing and signs lead to nowhere. As they go further they argue more and whenever they stop something bad seems to happen. A lot of these arguments are very amusing as close family members start to learn things that they never knew about one another.
The tensions and problems between the family members are well written and well acted so the movie works smoothly for these points. The film has a creepy surreal atmosphere to it and the sporadic horror elements also enhance the movie. Writer/Directors Jean-Baptiste Andrea and Fabrice Canepa did a good job at keeping things interesting for most of the movie. And until the near end they have a solid, little unique film on their hands here.
But alas, the ending really puts a damper on things. There were many different ways for the film to end, but the one that was chosen feels like a typical Hollywood ending which surprised me because most of the movie is the exact opposite of what Hollywood does. It's different and not flashy in any real sense. It kept me guessing what the hell was going on. Then when it came time for the big revelation, it just pissed me off that the film took such a weak direction. It could have been better but it's still worth watching at least once.
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Score
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6 / 10
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