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Colin, Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Katie HolmesDirector: Joel Schumacher
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I got this film out under duress as someone insisted I have to see it. But I'm glad I did. The notion of a film which 90% focuses on one single very small venue did not appeal, as it is going to be clear early on if the actor on whom the film relies cannot carry it off, and you're left with a choice of the off switch or persevering on a 'have started so I'll finish' basis. Fortunately, I thought Farrell carried it off well. He is never difficult on the eye, and was particularly pleasing in this film, but more importantly he has sufficient range to come through in a role like this, which I thought he did well. His Irish accent slipped through more than once which was a bit distracting, but that was a minor problem. He was supported well by all the other cast members, with the exception of Katie Holmes whose 8 year old's voice grates on me every time. Fortunately her role was small enough not to distract. Keifer Sutherland was suitably menacing as the caller, and although the ending was a little bit predictable, in that there was always going to be a twist and you could see this one marching in from off camera, I enjoyed it very much.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For a couple of years now (since Tigerland) Colin Farrell has been much vaunted as the next big thing but with the exception of his supporting role in Speilberg’s Minority Report, Farrell’s subsequent additions to his CV have hardly enhanced his reputation. Movies such as Hart’s War and The Recruit have left both audiences and critics somewhat underwhelmed, whilst the release of Phone Booth was much delayed due to the real life Washington snipers mindless killing of innocent people.
So what of Phone Booth: Is it any good and does Colin Farrell deserve the tag of next big thing?
Farrell plays Stu Shepard a slimy, unscrupulous, and very small time, Manhattan PR man with a daily habit of using the same old fashioned phone booth to call a prospective client (Katie Holmes) with whom he is trying to start an affair with. After all he wouldn’t want his wife to see a mobile phone bill listing calls to other women, would he? Enticed into picking up the ringing phone, Stu becomes trapped by an unseen sniper who tells him that he will be killed if he tries to leave the phone booth or puts down the phone. 'What do you want?' demands Stu, 'I want your complete attention' replies the sniper (Kiefer Sutherland) and not only does he get Stu’s complete attention he gets the audiences too as we watch Stu unravel into a pathetic mess pleading for his life over the next seventy minutes.
With his cocky charm, good looks and uncanny ability to mimic an American accent, Farrell is perfect for the part, which was at one point reportedly earmarked for Will Smith. The Dublin born actor appears to revel in playing the anti-hero forced into confessing his sins by the psycho sniper playing God in order to achieve some form of redemption. There are good supporting performances too from the likes of Forrest Whittaker (as the cop in charge at the scene) and in particular Kiefer Sutherland as the menacing assassin at the other end of the line.
Written by veteran writer/producer/Director Larry Cohen and Directed by Joel Schumacher, responsible for the very lamentable Batman & Robin, Phone Booth is (in my humble opinion) a very exciting and claustrophobic edge of the seat thriller. Cohen’s script and Schumacher’s Direction keep the movie lean and tight, steadily cranking up the tension to new heights right up until the movies conclusion. Cohen’s script is so ingenious in that it takes an old movie premise (the irresistible ringing phone that has to be answered and the anonymous caller) and gives it a new spin. It’s almost hard to believe that this is the same Joel Schumacher responsible for the last two movies of the Batman franchise. Indeed this is very much a return to form for the man that brought us the urban thriller “Falling Down”. Keeping you hooked throughout it’s (by current standards) relatively short running time, it is refreshing to see the old adage that less is sometimes more once again proved true.
The only arguable fault with Phone Booth is in its last two minutes, when we are treated to some unnecessary moralising. That apart, this is top-drawer entertainment and the best thriller I’ve seen in a long while. There are certainly much worse ways to spend 81 minutes, so take my advice and give this one a try, I’m sure you wont regret it!!! Four stars ****.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Phone Booth is an unsettling look at how technology can catch people out, and how you think you're safe when really you're not. Stu is an obnoxious fashion-obsessed compulsive liar who cheats on his wife, tells his clients what they want to hear and just generally tries to feather his nest as much as he can. One guy, "the caller", really has had enough of this guy and wants to teach him a vital lesson. He confines Stu to the phone booth, and makes him wish he'd never bothered going in there.
This is a great movie, excellently written and very emotional. Colin Farrell's desperation is great, and he has some funny lines. Kiefer Sutherland as the caller is great too, he's really got the skills for this film and he shines as the uncompromising voice who's really out to get Stu.
I like the emotion, the way the caller makes Stu think, his actions, and the way he feels out of touch. Stu is in a small box and made to feel small, and he does pour his heart out in there, yet the little box is actually a great release for him.
The blu-ray disk is pretty impressive - 5.1 DTS sound, and the mix is clear and very well done dynamically. The other languages are in 5.1 too, so it's a good buy for French and Italian shoppers. The video is good too, constant 25Mbps average, with a 2:35:1 presentation. The video is a lot less grainy than when I saw it in cinemas back in 2002, so that was a real treat for me. The extras are pathetic, a trailer and commentary from Joel Schumacher, very disappointing in my opinion, though Joel's commentary was good. Still lossless audio at 4.5mbps average is very good and should be not overlooked.
If you love this film, then upgrade to the Blu-Ray, but if you want more extras, don't really care for HD then stick with the DVD, as it's better extras wise and a lot cheaper.
Film gets 3 stars, 1 star for the extras, and 5 stars for the HD transfer.
This is a great movie, excellently written and very emotional. Colin Farrell's desperation is great, and he has some funny lines. Kiefer Sutherland as the caller is great too, he's really got the skills for this film and he shines as the uncompromising voice who's really out to get Stu.
I like the emotion, the way the caller makes Stu think, his actions, and the way he feels out of touch. Stu is in a small box and made to feel small, and he does pour his heart out in there, yet the little box is actually a great release for him.
The blu-ray disk is pretty impressive - 5.1 DTS sound, and the mix is clear and very well done dynamically. The other languages are in 5.1 too, so it's a good buy for French and Italian shoppers. The video is good too, constant 25Mbps average, with a 2:35:1 presentation. The video is a lot less grainy than when I saw it in cinemas back in 2002, so that was a real treat for me. The extras are pathetic, a trailer and commentary from Joel Schumacher, very disappointing in my opinion, though Joel's commentary was good. Still lossless audio at 4.5mbps average is very good and should be not overlooked.
If you love this film, then upgrade to the Blu-Ray, but if you want more extras, don't really care for HD then stick with the DVD, as it's better extras wise and a lot cheaper.
Film gets 3 stars, 1 star for the extras, and 5 stars for the HD transfer.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
IT IS MUSH SAFER TO USE YOUR MOBILE THAN A PUBLIC PHONE ?
(THE FILM) A single phone call can change a man's life...or possibly end it. Stu Shepard is a self-centered New York City publicist who suddenly finds himself on the deadly end of... Read more
Published 18 days ago by S. F. husseiny
Brilliant film, WATCH IT NOW!!!!
brilliant film and colin farrels performance is stunning, honestly an amazing film. my only nag is that its a little to short for me, i wanted a little more, but its still a great... Read more
Published 1 month ago by j
My new favourite movie!
I was told about this film by a friend who said it was a must watch. I'm always a bit sceptical about films referred to me by others (personal taste, etc etc) but I gave in and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Victoria Hill
Gripping and entertaining!
Considering the plot revolves a man in a phone booth, its a pretty gripping and engaging film. I like Colin Farrel in this, and think its one of his better roles. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Louise Roberts
phone booth 2
just 2 say i had this dvd by amazon love it grat style and gret acter love the way just him and kiefer sutherland love watching it grat stuff and radha mitchell grat as well shes... Read more
Published 12 months ago by matt bond
neillie
i love this film i have watched it sooooooooo many times its great, gripping and gorgeous ( well it is colin farrell), i wish they would make a phonebooth part2. Read more
Published 23 months ago by nellie
Pointless
For a movie set entirely in a phonebooth, this is certainly gripping stuff. It keeps your attention right until the end because the entire time you are wondering why the caller... Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by A. Sheikh
Hated it
I wished I had not bought this movie. It is so far-fetched and unlikely. Any real person would just have put the phone down and walked away but the writer has made this "victim" so... Read more
Published on 5 July 2009 by D. W. Chester
Good
It arrived in excellent condition. The film itself is quite good and i would recommed it, but with regards to action i prefer something like air force one.
Published on 2 July 2009 by Mr. John M. Newton
Phone Booth Deutsch
Ich gebe für den Film 3,5 Sterne, da der Film anfangs langweilig ist, doch später erst spanender wird, aber am ende doch nicht herrausragend ist.
Film Deutsch
Film Deutsch
Published on 25 May 2009 by Thomas Giessing
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