Review of Exam (2009) by Ulises E — 14 Feb 2014

Stuart Hazeldine had only one directorial credit to his name before this (the 35 minute short 'Christian', for anyone whose interested), but does a decent job with a relatively unknown cast and modest budget. In fact, the only actor I recognised apart from Colin Salmon (who appears in a cameo role), was Jimi Mistry. Nonetheless, the cast do the movie justice, and while its not going to break box office records or light up the world of Hollywood, at just over 90 minutes, it's entertaining viewing that I'd definitely recommend to others.

To me, the movie seemed almost a hybrid between 'Phonebooth' and 'Reservoir Dogs'. 8 Candidates are summoned to a sit an exam determining which one of them will receive a position in a lucrative organisation. They are given 80 minutes and are told that they cannot communicate with the invigilator (Colin Salmon), leave the room or spoil their paper. They only have one question to answer, except all they are given is blank sheets of paper. Admittedly I realise that this may sound pretty boring but give it a chance and a lot of tension actually builds. The action all takes place within the exam room, and the candidates do not use their real names (much akin to Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs') but the prize of the job pits them all against each other in a race against time to find the answer and then to solve it. Instantly, also like 'Reservoir Dogs, they all grow suspicious of each other and accusations and insults fly rapidly around the room.

The room becomes a theatre for clashes of personalities, as well as holding secrets of its own. By restricting his story to this condensed location Hazeldine effectively creates a sense of claustrophobia where the audience, like the characters, feel trapped by the ominous presence of the room and those who are examining them.

OK, so it's not brilliant and it's probably not a movie I would watch again. Nonetheless, I feel its positives probably outweigh its drawbacks. The job itself which the candidates are applying for, and their circumstances, I felt became ridiculously complicated in places. I also think that the ending, whilst not disappointing,was not exactly what I had been hoping for. It didn't really provide the 'killer blow' I was expecting, and actually left me feeling rather deflated. However, I must stress that 'Exam' is worth 90 minutes of your time. It will keep you on the edge of your seat at times, and even had me rooting for my favourite for the job. Stuart Hazeldine shows plenty of promise by creating an interesting psychological thriller and character study without the backing of a major studio, which is an encouraging sign for British film and independent movie makers around the world!