Review of Alexandra's Project (2003) by Tony B — 05 Apr 2007

On the day of his birthday, Steve comes home to what is expected to be a surprise-party - but instead finds a video-camera, a video tape, a VCR, and a TV. When he plays the tape, he learns that his wife was a lot less happy than he ever thought, and that not only is he not going to get the party he was expecting - but that his entire life is about to change...and not in a good way.

"Alexandra's Project" is another shining example of what can be done with a low-budget, no special FX and pretty much nothing but a good concept, a good script, good actors, and a good director. The film never reaches the power of "Bad Boy Bubby" (the director's [Rolf De Heer] best film, see it if you haven't), but honestly, I don't feel that many films can. "A's P" has an aura all it's own - far more "cold" and nihilistic than "BBB's" over-the-top shocking "personality". This film actually reminds me quite a bit of some of Michael Haneke's stronger works, in terms of being an almost voyeuristic view and unemotional look into the turmoil of this family. My only main gripe is that the film drags at points, especially when the husband has internal struggles whether to continue watching the tape or not...I was at the point where I wanted to fast-forward the tape he was watching for him. I think the film could've been cut by a good 10 or 15 minutes of those scenes and been a bit more "streamlined". Other than that, "A's P" is a very strong film, and definitely worth a look.