Review of P2 (2007) by Shelly — 06 Oct 2009

"[A] protagonist becomes a tragic hero not because of what befalls him, but rather as a result of the manner in which he confronts his destiny." Can't remember where I got that quote from, but it was the first thing I thought of when I saw this impressive, effective little thriller.

This film is prismatic in its layers, and enthralling in that the audience should (if they are intelligent enough to ignore conventions) struggle with the question of just who is our protagonist and who is the real antagonist here? Let me put it simply - if a filmmaker wants a flat, flimsy character, that filmmaker is not going to cast Wes Bentley for said character.

To me this was a film with a cynical message; I got the same feeling from P2 that I get from Taxi Driver. That loneliness is the most difficult hole to crawl out of, and no one is going to give you sympathy for it.

It's the most common thing - everyone in the world can relate to loneliness, but when it pushes someone over the edge, it's impossible for anyone to be understanding enough to bring them back.

Most people will interpret this film as a cookie-cutter kind of psycho stalker film we've all seen before. But I saw it as an analysis of something much deeper. This film doesn't side with or condone the actions of either character, but shows what would be instinctual for each respective character; a man driven to desperate acts by his loneliness and obsession, and a confused woman too panicked by what could potentially happen to her that she doesn't stop to think what the best course of action would truly be.

This shouldn't be the kind of film that makes you cheer at the end. It should feel ominous, because it's very, very real. Many people - myself included - feel like they're on the brink of the madness that overtakes Bentley's character in this film.

This piece must be viewed objectively.