Hard Candy (2005) Review
Written by: BlackTequilaKiss
Move over Mrs Voorhees, there's a new sheriff in town. The first time I saw Hard Candy my mind was in two spades. I loved it but it was hard to grasp. Last night I decided to watch it again and this time my perception of the movie was more clear. I still love it but this time I was more aware, more able to focus a clearer picture. This is not fluffy light entertainment, this is hard hitting and deeply psychological.
Very quick brief note of the movie: Mature 14 year old, Hayley Stark meets charming 32 year old Jeff Kohlver through the internet. Meeting at a coffee shop she intently worms her way into his home, suspecting him of being a paedophile, she is determined to expose him no matter the cost.
Watching it again I quickly became immersed in the storyline and where it was headed whilst all the time remembering the starkness of what the story is about.
I really have to commend Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson for their performances.
Ellen Page playing Hayley was a beautiful stroke in my opinion. She starts off sweet, tender and gentle but even throughout the beginning scenes you can see she is holding something back. That said she played the teenager counterpart well so when her distinctive personality actually comes through it is somewhat of a surprise. As vindictive and quietly sadistic she plays the role fantastically. She as a meticulous approach to acting and when she is leaning to the crueller edge, the glint in her eyes is more than enough to send shivers up your back. Watch it, you'll see.
Patrick Wilson as Jeff. I never knew what to make of him until a while into the film. I started off thinking he was shady and as the movie progressed further and further my disdainment for him became ever more so. You never see anything but there are nods to suggest that what Hayley believes, is in fact true. But as there is never anything shown your mind is the more dominant force of the movie. That said I despised and liked him in equal drove. I liked how he played the role so well with such compassion, yet I hated his character for not being honest until the crucial moment.
There was something else about this movie that touched on my emotions and that was the lack of music. I, myself, have stated that music is a powerful component in movies but some films work better without the need for it. This is such an example. I believe had there been a soundtrack it would not have been as intense as it was. But with no music, any emotions displayed are due to the tightness and togetherness of the story, this was the best way to do the movie and it worked well.
No gore in this at all but this was never a movie designed to need that to make it work. That being said there is one key scene that whilst vague in context will have men watching it who will be grimacing throughout the whole scene. I will be honest and say I wore a curt smile throughout the film, what can I say I'm macabre =)
Cinematography is well drafted. The layout of Jeff's house is key. Everything in the right spot. Large open spaces and blood red paint it all combines to create an haunting, moody atmosphere which is precisely what it does. Merge of voices echoing and empty gaps create some very intense moments that were done frankly and wonderfully.
Yes there are some flaws. Some things that in truth would never happen the way they are scripted but focussing on the flaws takes away from an otherwise tightly coiled script. There as been questions asked of the end but I do not see the issue. Maybe it is my restricted thought process or maybe something else.
If Jeff was an innocent soul or if his role in what happened was not that great then I have no doubt that he would not have put what he did around him. From my viewpoint only a guilty soul would consequently do what he did, aware it was his only way out. But again this is just my point of view.
I love this movie because it is a storyline we can all understand, it may be hard to watch at certain points but it is still something that is not stretched from reality. The actors of which there were only five did a great job in their roles no matter how small a part and the tight script work and chemistry between Page and Wilson was executed to a polished finish. It all worked and added an whole other layer to the context of the film.
I gave it 8/10 because there are some finer details never explained but as an whole it is a taut yet enjoyable experience. This may not classify as pure horror but there are more than enough elements that can count as such. It is a intense, deep experience. Want light entertainment? then for the love of, don't rent this but for a different more embedded experience then this is worth a watch.
Great execution of a film and two excellent actors. This is what movies should be more like. Fantastic.
Very quick brief note of the movie: Mature 14 year old, Hayley Stark meets charming 32 year old Jeff Kohlver through the internet. Meeting at a coffee shop she intently worms her way into his home, suspecting him of being a paedophile, she is determined to expose him no matter the cost.
Watching it again I quickly became immersed in the storyline and where it was headed whilst all the time remembering the starkness of what the story is about.
I really have to commend Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson for their performances.
Ellen Page playing Hayley was a beautiful stroke in my opinion. She starts off sweet, tender and gentle but even throughout the beginning scenes you can see she is holding something back. That said she played the teenager counterpart well so when her distinctive personality actually comes through it is somewhat of a surprise. As vindictive and quietly sadistic she plays the role fantastically. She as a meticulous approach to acting and when she is leaning to the crueller edge, the glint in her eyes is more than enough to send shivers up your back. Watch it, you'll see.
Patrick Wilson as Jeff. I never knew what to make of him until a while into the film. I started off thinking he was shady and as the movie progressed further and further my disdainment for him became ever more so. You never see anything but there are nods to suggest that what Hayley believes, is in fact true. But as there is never anything shown your mind is the more dominant force of the movie. That said I despised and liked him in equal drove. I liked how he played the role so well with such compassion, yet I hated his character for not being honest until the crucial moment.
There was something else about this movie that touched on my emotions and that was the lack of music. I, myself, have stated that music is a powerful component in movies but some films work better without the need for it. This is such an example. I believe had there been a soundtrack it would not have been as intense as it was. But with no music, any emotions displayed are due to the tightness and togetherness of the story, this was the best way to do the movie and it worked well.
No gore in this at all but this was never a movie designed to need that to make it work. That being said there is one key scene that whilst vague in context will have men watching it who will be grimacing throughout the whole scene. I will be honest and say I wore a curt smile throughout the film, what can I say I'm macabre =)
Cinematography is well drafted. The layout of Jeff's house is key. Everything in the right spot. Large open spaces and blood red paint it all combines to create an haunting, moody atmosphere which is precisely what it does. Merge of voices echoing and empty gaps create some very intense moments that were done frankly and wonderfully.
Yes there are some flaws. Some things that in truth would never happen the way they are scripted but focussing on the flaws takes away from an otherwise tightly coiled script. There as been questions asked of the end but I do not see the issue. Maybe it is my restricted thought process or maybe something else.
If Jeff was an innocent soul or if his role in what happened was not that great then I have no doubt that he would not have put what he did around him. From my viewpoint only a guilty soul would consequently do what he did, aware it was his only way out. But again this is just my point of view.
I love this movie because it is a storyline we can all understand, it may be hard to watch at certain points but it is still something that is not stretched from reality. The actors of which there were only five did a great job in their roles no matter how small a part and the tight script work and chemistry between Page and Wilson was executed to a polished finish. It all worked and added an whole other layer to the context of the film.
I gave it 8/10 because there are some finer details never explained but as an whole it is a taut yet enjoyable experience. This may not classify as pure horror but there are more than enough elements that can count as such. It is a intense, deep experience. Want light entertainment? then for the love of, don't rent this but for a different more embedded experience then this is worth a watch.
Great execution of a film and two excellent actors. This is what movies should be more like. Fantastic.