Hard Candy [DVD]

 

 

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Jeff, a talented but lecherous photographer with a penchant for underage girls lets himself get talked into meeting with a young fourteen year old girl with a nervous but worldly attitude to the world.

At first, her agreement to go to his house leaves Jeff thinking the ball is completely in his court, but things begin to quickly go south when he learns that Hailey is not who she seemed to be and that he may have stepped into a trap.

A darkly disturbing but clever twist is what really makes the movie, and it's definately one that will have you gripping the edge of your seat (and guys possibly wincing while crossing their legs). Incredible movie carried completely by Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson with only a vague cameo by Sandra Oh.

Ellen Page is fantastic at playing a child despite her age of 18 at the time (really sucking you into the initial innocence), and Patrick Wilson is believable enough to leave you somewhat sympathetic despite the story.

Opening with a computer screen capturing flirtatious key strokes between online chat room users, David Slade's, gritty indie drama/shocker, Hard Candy begins at a playful and gentle pace before snaking off in altogether different directions. Taking a delicate subject and molding it into a pot-boiler thriller is a risky proposition, not least when dealing with pedophilia (alleged or otherwise) and Hard Candy doesn't pull any punches.

Its central conceit: 14 year old Hayley (Ellen Page) and thirty-something photographer Jeff (Patrick Wilson), meet up at a coffee house following some fruity internet exchanges and appear to hit it off. Their easy banter begins to flow naturally and seems kind of innocent if a little sexually barbed, then Hayley agrees to leave with Jeff and go to his swish apartment cum studio and things take a much darker turn. At this point many of the audience should hear the sound of alarm bells ringing. In an ideal world Hayley should never have gone to meet Jeff in the first place and in a less morally moribund world Jeff should've simply left the coffee shop when he discovers his `date' to be so young. It's a pertinent point in modern society that danger is not often as immediate or as obvious as you might think.

Spade's screenplay crackles with witty dialogue and pop culture references, the twists and turns come thick and fast despite the central and claustrophobic setting. The two chief players are framed in close up for much of the movie, meaning that the performances have to be right on the button in order for Hard Candy to be an effective two hander. Ellen Page is a terrifying Lolita, part woman scorned, part wide-eyed teenager and part Charles Bronson. Her stand out turn is guaranteed to scare the wits out of male audiences the world over and although played as a little too cocksure, her performance here is set to take her into the big league. Wilson also deserves credit as he lends certain credibility and charm to the nominal `villain' of the piece who would so often be branded sleazy or a recluse outsider. His delivery ensures the terror and impact of what you (thankfully) do not see on screen is fully realized.

The talking point of Hard Candy is predictably the lengthy torture scene involving some impromptu amateur surgery and this key sequence is essentially the crux of Spade's film. Here, despite you being convinced that Jeff is a bit of a creep, you can't help but empathize with his plight. Or can you? There in lies Spade's intelligent juxtaposition, the fact that you never actually see any firm evidence to suggest Jeff's guilt, means that it's Hayley's word against his and Hayley, it seems, happens to be a bit deranged. Or is she? In keeping much of Hayley's motivation ambiguous and avoiding giving hard evidence of her accusations leveled at Jeff, the audience is left to decide whether Hayley is within her rights as a would be post modern vigilante and if Jeff is even deserving of such an act? The `did he/didn't he?' aspect of the screenplay certainly ratchets the tension when the scalpel finally comes out, but will no doubt divide audiences once the end credits roll.

Hard Candy is grueling viewing (male audiences will wince throughout) and it's not likely to be a movie watched repeatedly. David Slade's feature debut has attracted critical praise, most of which deservedly due to two fine central performances but it's not without faults, Hard Candy treads dangerously close to parody when the message, although hidden in satirical overtones, becomes increasingly fractured. Hamstrung slightly by an ending that feels a little too convenient and moments of daft character decisions, this thought provoking piece falls short of the movie it will be inevitable compared to, namely Takashi Miike's `Audition'. It is though a relevant topical feature that sparks debate on a subject often considered too taboo for mainstream cinema.

One piece of advice: avoid this movie if you are intending to embark on a nice romantic date. It'll only end in tears.

This film is best watched with no prior knowledge to the plot or premise. Like Inception or Cyrus, it's made better if you don't know what it's about. Amazing performances by the lead cast of just two: Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson coupled with brilliant direction by David Slade makes this a captivating film. Almost theatrical It has a small scale and intimacy that make it almost uncomfortable in places but it maintains an intensity that keeps you riveted for the duration.
The Main criticism I have heard of this film is that it is unbelievable or implausible, which is true to a point but doesn't sully the experience. I recommend this film as one of my top ten with a warning of that it is without doubt an adult film. Not in a pornographic way, but in theme and subject matter.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Sadistic thriller with a message
Hard Candy is a 2005 horror-thriller directed by a british director David Slade (30 days of night). It tells about a teenage girl Hayley (Page) and a photographer Jeff (Wilson)... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Juhani Jääskeläinen (Finland)

3.0 out of 5 stars A sick, bitter, woeful horror revenge drama. Hard candy indeed.
This film overall is a slow, unimpressive watch.

The film starts off about a developing online dating chat come date, when they return home things twist and turn,... Read more

Published 5 months ago by T. BROOKES

5.0 out of 5 stars yep it was the nutz!
This was a very good film which I have placed aside for my other half to watch when he gets home. Original & brave subject matter which had me believing this poor innocent little... Read more

Published 9 months ago by :(

5.0 out of 5 stars High tension film
This is a tense film with plenty of suspense. Not a film for the light hearted! Not recommended if you want a feel-good moment but the acting and plot are brilliant.

Published 13 months ago by Aztecmother

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Film
In my opinion, this is a (pretty much) perfect film. It is clever with brilliant casting, intense and wonderfully made. A definate 5 star.

Published 17 months ago by C. Palmer

2.0 out of 5 stars A heavily flawed thriller, packed full of plot holes.
I was expecting better things from Hard Candy, but in reality this is a heavily flawed thriller packed full of plot holes. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Ernie

4.0 out of 5 stars "4 Out Of 5 Doctors Agree That I Am Actually Insane..."
This is a great film with a great concept on a young, "vunerable" girl who turns on a paedophile that has targeted her via online chat. Read more

Published on 5 Feb 2010 by Ms. L. J. Braisby

2.0 out of 5 stars Hard to swallow
This visually spare movie has a very theatrical feel; it's shot almost entirely on a single set and has just three cast members. Read more

Published on 15 Jan 2010 by sft

2.0 out of 5 stars Something missing....
....and its not the surgically removed bits! This is a relentless and brave film that asks hard questions about a very taboo subject, and makes us thing about abuse, revenge,... Read more

Published on 9 Dec 2009 by Gerald T. Walford

2.0 out of 5 stars Overrated
This movie may well have been intended to be a cross between social commentary and torture porn but it fails on both counts. Read more

Published on 16 Nov 2009 by DaveW

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