Review of Peacock (2005) by Mark A — 19 Apr 2011
This low-budget indie thriller put this viewer in mind of the classic Hitchcock film, Pyscho. Cillian Murphy was superb as the troubled young man, John Silka, and his alter-ego, Emma. When a train derails in John's back yard, his life spins off the tracks as well, and suddenly this shy, unassuming iconoclast finds his safe refuge invaded by all kinds of well-meaning neighbors.
The supporting cast is excellent, especially Ellen Page (Maggie) and Susan Sarandon (Fanny Crill), but without Cillian Murphy, this could have been nothing more than a parody of true psychological horror.
But his performance made a believer out of this viewer. His demeanor completely changed as he slipped from one character to another. The sets added to the atmosphere, the scenery, although shot in Iowa, evoked the Nebraska plains and captured the insular nature of small-town life in the mid-sixties.
The extras reveal an alternate ending with a much darker feel than the one that was used, and the "Making of..." segment gave some good background to the intent of the filmmakers. Well worth a watch.
This review of Peacock (2005) was written by Mark A on 19 Apr 2011.
Peacock has generally received positive reviews.
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