Here it is!
Name of Film: Hard Candy (2006, David Slade)
Let's get one thing out of the way immediately; Hard Candy is a very difficult film to recommend. It explores a sensitive subject - namely internet paedophiles - and then flips it entirely on it's head. The main story is that Jeff - a suave, sophisticated 32-year-old photographer - meets Hayley - a young, not-as-innocent-as-she-looks 14-year-old - in a internet chat room. They seem to hit it off, arrange to meet, and then go back to Jeff's house. Then things take a turn for the worse...for Jeff.
It's an intense ride, to be sure. The dark, gritty atmosphere created by Jo Willems' camera creates a highly claustrophobic feel, and the way the camera moves appears to reflect Hayleys mood - frantic when she's tearing through Jeff's house; smooth and calm when she's unloading her sarcastic wit onto him - adds a certain depth to the atmosphere. And it's all towards an end; to create an uncertainty in the viewer's mind. Who's really in the wrong?
David Slade's direction is brilliant too, showing almost nothing, yet implying everything that Hayley is doing to Jeff. And although you realise why he did this when the credits roll, you can't help but wince whilst it's happening. Also, a rather inspired choice is that there is barely any music throughout the film, so all we have to go on is the two core characters reactions to what is happening.
And the central performances are brilliant - which is no mean feat considering first that they're onscreen for pretty much the entire movie, and second, there's the intensity of the film. Ellen Page is particularly brilliant as Hayley, to start she exudes a totally believable innocence, and the transformation from sweet teenager to vindictive bitch is scarily convincing. Not to take anything away from Patrick Wilson; he too makes his character almost real, to the point that you could understand why teenage girls might be attracted to him, and when Hayley begins her grisly work on him, his raw terror almost makes you feel sorry for this man who you're fairly certain - though there is some ambiguity - is a nasty piece of work.
I have to say, whilst I can't say that I truly enjoyed it, it had my eyes glued to the screen. It's an engrossing experience, and whilst you may not come out inspired or enlightened, you will come out saying 'Yikes!', and that's probably what the filmmakers were aiming for. And guys, be prepared to wince way more than the girls!
Rating Out of 10: 7