Review of Hard Candy (2005) by Ben F — 23 Jan 2015

Hardy Candy does what so many films out there could only dream of doing, being incredibley intense, while alluring the audience into its web of deceit, pain and uncofortable misery. Hayley, a 14 year old teenager, decides to go out on a limb and meet up with a professional photographer, who is around his 30's.

From the word go, its obvious there is some flirtation going on, although out in the open how dangerous could this really get. It's not until Hayley manages to weasel her way back to Geoff, the photographers apartment, when all of a sudden an act of physical and mental torture plays out.

First off, this film will have every male squirming in their seat, it really is that effective. However the real treat about this film is how it manages to strike a constant balance of unease and forces you to be unsure who to root for.

Ellen Page's break out role, is monumentous as Hayley, not only does she really look the part but she manages to stand toe to toe, in a dialogue heavy battle with Patrick Wilson, who is on thunderous form.

It is clear that Hayley and Geoff both have their fair share of mental issues and for a long time we are left questioning Hayley's actions. The film ultimately asks questions about pedophillia and perceptions of it, that no one else has the brain or balls to.

Watching these 2 well written characters flip from deceit to desperation at every turn is wonderful, the script firmly rooting our interest. Okay there are the occasional hammy line here and there and some reference to big names that add a cheapness to the experience but its hardly jarring, as the tension David Slade manages to create is heart thumpingly grand.

His visuals are jaw dropping, you can literally see how Hannibal is so well shot and orchestrated. There is an abundance of close ups to highlight emotion and the film also does a kinetic job of mixing dizzying visuals with eye assaulting edit work.

The lighting in this film, is quite literally up there with the best lighting work, I have ever seen done. Its dynamic, its gorgeous, its innovative. One scene in particular as Geoff awakens to find himself tied to a chair, the colour scheme has went from all bright into a cold blue, only for occasional changes of light to bounce about as if the world is literally living and breathing around the actors.

The grade on the film is stunning, the lack of music is actually very unnerving, however the sound team do an excellent job of exentuating certain camera moves or actions that will have everyone weeping.

Where the film does however does come off the rails a bit is in the finale. By which point we have had very little solid evidence to prove one sides point over the other, I mean it's talked about eventually but there is no resolve.

No absolute, it just leaves you hanging there before having this overly cheery montage, where its clear that both characters are equally as flawed as each other. Yes it does a good job of letting your imagination run wild but it doesnt give you a side to root for.

At points this works extremely well but by the end, your not sure you could agree with either characters actions, leaving you wonder what the message is. Finally the film likes to ram its subjects down your throat, every chance it gets, there is no subtlety to what is going on here, just out and out preaching from both sides.

However even with its short comings, the film is a wonder to look at and a thrill ride that will actually get you thinking.Deserves your time.