Review of The Dead Girl (2006) by Brendon — 05 May 2009

It's hard to know where to start a review for this very excellent film. While the past few years have produced a great many very fine ensemble pieces featuring intersecting perspectives/storylines, this one will probably be missed by many fans of the emerging genre (yes, I said it, genre). "The Dead Girl" didn't receive the attention it probably deserved during its release, and was neither hated nor loved by critics. This is often the case for straight to DVD and limited release films. However, if you have some appreciation for independent film this shouldn't detour you from checking out this film and others like it. Sure, you can still watch Crash, Traffic, Babel, and all the rest, but!, you might find that picking up a lesser known title once in a while will provide you with a very pleasant viewing experience. But why risk wasting 90 minutes of my precious time watching a film not endorsed by the professional douchebags, uhhum, I mean critics?

My answer: the acting in this film is annoyingly good. While the entire cast do a superior job portraying these authentic and sometimes rather sad characters, the lesser known actors in this film are really quite incredible. Piper Laurie, playing the bedridden mother to Arden (Toni Colette), despite only being on screen for a brief period in the film, will get under your skin and probably also make it crawl. I evaluate an actors performance based on my physical and emotional response to the presence of their character. Piper made me want to reach through the screen and shake the living shit out of her....bravo! Mary Beth Hurt exemplifies similar acting prowess as the codependent wife of a man she knows is up to no good. The neurosis Hurt creates for the character of Ruth is so spot on, at times it feels almost like your watching a documentary. Yes, she's that damn good.

Do yourself a favor and watch this flick. Thematically, perhaps it's not for everyone (pretty bleak like other films of it's genre), but if you appreciate excellent acting, attractive camera work, and an engaging story, this one is for you.