This darkly comic indie thriller was picked up by Tartan films here in the UK, and even given a theatrical release, probably down to the fact that it stars Matthew Lillard, (who had just impressed audiences in ‘Scream’) and ‘Felicity’ herself Keri Russell. What surprised me watching the film years later was that the other lead is played by a pre-‘Alias’ fame Michael Vartan.
The film follows a similar plot to ‘Dead Man on Campus’ that sees two friends plot to kill their roommate in order to achieve perfect 4.0 grade point averages. Unlike that comedy romp however, Dan Rosen’s film is a far more serious affair which details the complexities of relationships and career goals.
The film has an excellent cast for a low key affair from a first time Director, and each are very good in their respective roles. The film showcases some stylish moments to compensate for the lack of budget such as a scene where the lights dim and the background action halts to allow Lillard to tell a horrible tale, and some unusual camera angles.
The film appears to be an easy one to work out, but it turns out that the film is far more complex than anyone seems to realise.
OVERALL SUMMARY
A very clever film/character study that more than makes up for it’s lack of budget and cliched subject material, through wise choices and genuine talent. It’s a bit of a slow burner and highly thought provoking which I like, but a little more action would have been a welcome addition as there is a chance that your attention span may begin to wain as the film approaches it’s climax.
