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For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
Sympathy (2007)
“Sympathy” is a dialogue driven story adapted from a play called “Serendipity” written by playwright Arik Martin and directed solidly by Andrew Moorman. The story is about a screw-up bank robber Trip who holds a mouthy and gutsy teenager named Sara (Played intensely by the talented Marina Shtelen) captive in a hotel room. From the get go nothing goes right for the hostage and her assailant. During an argument while she was handcuffed to a bed he accidentally shoots the rebellious teenager in the shoulder. The film is obviously a talkative event being that the source material was on the stage in the past. This slick exploitation film of sorts is grim, well acted and superbly helmed by Andrew Moorman who shot on digital to save but treated each and every shot as if he was shooting on 35mm.
The story is strange and may seem a little too convenient for some peoples taste but as the story roles along every thing each character does makes perfect sense. Another character quickly is introduced to the audience. While Trip ran off to do an errand a prison escapee breaks into the hotel room while Sara was passed out. She wakes up and recognizes another man has entered the picture. Now the tables are turned on Trip as the orange jump suit attired Dennis turns the kidnapper Trip into hostage. From here Sara tries to flirt her way out of danger, Trip tries to get some control back and the threatening Dennis runs the show. He wants to know why Trip has detained a woman. He obviously sees some fortune in his future and tries to pry information out of both of his hostages. He also has just spent ten years in the penal system and he takes a disturbing liking towards the smart mouth detainee.
There are many crafty character revelations that make it hard to trust any of the three characters and with that said the story became less predictable then one might expect in a claustrophobic setting. The amount of action and suspense that happens in the hotel room is indisputably one of the most impressive accomplishments I’ve seen in a while. The tightly confined environment had me anticipating all of the characters each and every move. The film is reminiscent of Richard Linklater’s “Tape” starring Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. That film had some startling issues and packed some emotional punches and also had three flawed subjects. This film however was much more nasty and dealt with the crime element while showing some shocking bloodshed. This isn’t a blood drenched film but all the action is rough and nothing looks cheesy. The players did a great job at playing cat and mouse verbally with each other. This is a story about one character outsmarting, manipulating and flat out lying to the other. By the time the twist comes the viewer is in for a surprise and like all twist your opinion on this film rides on the revealing finale.
I commend all the actors for creating believable characters. All three showed moments of fear, lunacy and intelligence. It was hard to pick out who was going to get the upper hand. The story takes a 180 degree turn on the viewer but the surprise was authentic and gave the film more points for being unpredictable. The film packed action, an efficient screenplay and powerhouse acting that showcases sexual tension, manic intensity and the ability to depict pathological liars. Nothing is what it seems in this dark play adaptation.
The sound is great and creates a booming unsettling atmosphere. The mixture of thunder and a subtle score kept me alert as a viewer and made for a more pleasing experience. The running time is 105 minutes and I spent each minute invested into the characters and wondering where the alluring film was going to go next.
All three characters brought something different to the table and I dare anyone who watches this flick to pick a best performance. Each performer awarded the audience with true to life characters taking violent measures to try to get out of the hotel alive. I recommend this to horror fans that feel used by the promotion of the recent film “Bug”. That film was original and should get high fives from the art house crowd and latte swiggers but this film delivers crisp dialog, professional direction and just enough slice and dice to attract exploitation and horror fans. Not only did the film have surprises but this film has come out of no where and entertained me while excising my brain. Nothing is left unclear and everything is spelled out without seeming like a corny “Scream 3” ending. There are actual reasons why the characters explain stuff at the conclusion of this independent cult classic to be.
Gore Fiends get chopped fingers, knife wounds, point blank gun shots and blood foaming from the mouth. Also there are images of a blood spattered women that was both handcuffed with her mouth duct taped for all you wife beating enthusiasts out there! The tone is morbid as well as the on screen violence that looked physically accurate. Don’t expect a blood flood but appreciate the fact the director threw some in a story that could have went without it. Recommended! Check out more info www.sympathythemovie.com.
Rating - ***
-Russ Rutter
