SAW (2004)

You have to ask yourself this question: How many times have you been to the opening night of a horror/thriller film, reading the posters which dominantly project “The best American film in 50 Years” or “Like a cross between Blair Witch and Jaws!!!” (Ahem….Open Water!) only to find that you probably would have been better off sitting at home watching the 'neo-gothic' Laurence Llewellyn Bowen instead!?

This film is in complete contrast to the above. Firstly check out the billboards which, in their profound simplicity use a simple tri-colour format with absolutely no graphics or gimmicks…... Then there’s the obscure website that would have the likes of Einstein confused! What’s important though is that this method of effective marketing really works. If you have not guessed it yet, the film under scrutiny here is Saw and without a shadow of a doubt this is one of those true classic horror/thriller productions. With its leanings more towards the thriller genre this film has the viewer in suspense from start to finish!
Set in a ‘pre-historic bathroom’, a body lies on the floor in the centre draped in blood. Two men, Adam (Leigh Whannell – Enter The Matrix, One Perfect Day) and Dr Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes – Liar, Liar, Twister, X Files) are positioned at opposite corners both bound in heavy ‘unbreakable’ shackles. The story runs through its usual ‘why the hell are we here?’ scenario as the two unfortunates desperately attempt to assemble the jigsaw in an attempt for release back into the ‘mondo reale’. The main problem is that time is against them, only having a few hours to break the code to set themselves free. For Lawrence it is his family who are at the centre of the ‘game’.

As the story unfolds you learn of the backgrounds of Lawrence, the surgeon and Adam, the photographer and it is at this point where the story really begins to open up as new clues are found and theories explored. Lawrence explains that he has heard of the villain and admits to being a prime suspect in the deaths… enter Mr Lethal Weapon himself, Danny Glover. The story then retraces the events leading to the arrest of Lawrence and the feeling that Danny Glover never truly believes Lawrence, never fades to the extent of him hiring an apartment adjacent to the surgeons’ house. During this retro sequence the viewer is treated to scenes of previous events, which is surely where the 18 certification comes into play. Not only are these sequences disturbing, they are also highly original and it is impossible to even try and attempt comparisons to other films in the genre here.

The one and only survivor (Amanda) then relives her encounter with extremely vivid detail. Having no further evidence to convict Lawrence, Detective Tapp has no option but to release the surgeon, which he does with great reluctance. The story then reverts back to the two in the bathroom but the focus is now on Adam, the photographer. As his story unfolds the viewer realises the connection between the inhabitants and the story comes full-circle.
The cleverness of this film is not just in its various twists and turns but in the fact that the villain, aptly nicknamed ‘The Jigsaw’ cannot actually be accused of murder, however he does create the scenario leaving the player to puzzle it out for themselves. Indeed how they go about releasing themselves from a situation may be extreme and violent but the onus is always on the participant, whether the path of death or survival is taken.

Sonically speaking the film comes complete with a very minimalistic/ambient score. This is one of those films that doesn't need to rely on its musical content and to be honest although it is more than an adequate compliment to the film it is not essential.

Concluding, this film is an excellent spin on the horror/thriller genre. Being one of the best in the field, there are genuine scary moments throughout its two-hour duration and a couple of those obligatory ‘jump out of your seat’ scenes! The 18 certification is justified -  it is not entirely due to its graphic content, which never really goes truly ‘over the top’ but more so of the overall psychological, dark and demonic theme of the film.

It has to be said that Danny Glover’s performance throughout is quite stunning and cannot really be associated with his more ‘comic’ Lethal Weapon offerings. The complete obsession of catching ‘The Jigsaw’ to the extent of residing at an apartment opposite the doctor’s abode, the camera firmly fixed in position eagerly awaiting activity and the newspaper clippings is quite unnerving. The film goes out of its way to explain in greater detail the reasons behind the somewhat obsessive nature of Detective Tapp and his encounter with the malefactor which not surprisingly has unexpected results too.

I cannot recommend this film highly enough. There is certainly more than enough here to keep both the horror and thriller fans happy and for me its one the finest films so far, this year! Dare you see SAW?

Score

9 / 10