Review of My Soul to Take (2010) by Chris W — 01 Oct 2012

I like Wes Craven. I respect him, both as a filmmaker and as a business man. It's the latter that enables me to understand attaching ones name to projects in order to hawk them to an unsuspecting audience, if your only involvement is that of producer or perhaps as shill.

I imagined that to be the case with My Soul to Take as the teeny bopper material seemed in keeping with those films that Wes has had his thumb in these past few years. Imagine my dismay when learning, only once the film was over, that Mr.

Craven is credited as both writer and director. I don't know which of those I find more disappointing. Again, as a business man, savvy move on Wes' part. This sort of tripe will keep the rent paid and the lights burning.

Otherwise it's a complete waste of time, especially for a man who's considerably better than that. Bad as it is, My Soul to Take does have some redeeming qualities. The best of these (for me, at least) is Emily Meade, who should be a familiar face to fans of Boardwalk Empire, for her brief but memorable performance as Pearl.

She reminds me of a young Jennifer Jason Leigh, which is a good thing indeed. Likewise, John Magaro reminds me of a young Keith Gordon. Denzel Whitaker and Zena Grey don't especially remind me of anyone but I found them both likable and capable, so far as the garbage they had to work with allowed.

Speaking of the material, the plot and dialogue, the film as a whole is a terrific mess. Not a single chill was induced but I did find myself laughing at what appeared to be intentionally funny bits. There's a multiple personality / schizophrenia angle that's explored just a bit in a nigh-outlandish kind of way, primarily due to the often bizarre performance by lead Max Thieriot.

If the crazy parts had lasted, the film would have been vastly more interesting. Unfortunately, anything worthwhile was all too brief and by the end, you'll likely be left wondering why you or anyone else even bothered.