Review of Michael (2011) by Cody C — 14 May 2012
The character of Michael is fascinating, this is why it is such a shame that he is not developed, at all. Michael is an unpopular and reclusive thirty something who has a young boy held prisoner in his basement, we work this out in the first ten minutes, by the end of the film this is still all we know about him. Are we being told that there is nothing else to somebody like this? What a shame that such a complex character is not allowed to fester and unwind before our eyes.
Despite this the film has many positives, it is shot magnificently and the acting is superb, Michael Fuith gives the title role as much depth as the story allows, showing the childish and playful side of a cold and calculated criminal. David Rauchenberger's performance as Michael's young prisoner Wolfgang is outstanding for such a young actor.
The films strength lies in it's use of implied abuse rather than an explicit depiction of Michael and Wolfgang's relationship (with the exception of one scene), a route which so many similar films decide to go down.
This review of Michael (2011) was written by Cody C on 14 May 2012.
Michael has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
