The
Tall Man (2012) - Starring Jessica Biel
The
overall concept seemed simple enough. An original story, The Tall Man
chronicles the time in which a troubled town has an epidemic of missing
children. The main character, Julia (played by Jessica Biel) awakens one
night to find that her child is missing. Her adventure brings her into a
world of corruption and surprises that brings the viewer through a myriad of “what
the hell just happened?” thoughts.
The
story begins in a typical fashion, showing the old, broken town. The
pick-up trucks with rust, and the diner that has regulars calling the waitress
and every other patron by their first names. But then something happens
toward the midpoint of the film. It takes an unusual turn that has you
guessing from scene to scene.
Jessica
Biel plays a mediocrely over-exaggerated mother type. The other
characters blend together in a watercolor of mixed clichés and
monologues. The direction of French Director Pascal Laugier is stable,
but fresh.
The
Tall Man takes the guessing out of the modern crime/mystery film. I found
myself guessing so much that I decided to just turn off my thoughts and follow
the story. The ending of the film does not include a 20 minute monologue
summing up the reason you just watched an hour and a half of the film. It
brings all questions to clarity through hyperbole and vision.
The
film ends up on its head (meant in the best way possible) when it comes to
“what happens next”. This film will bend your mind, having you sit
through the credits and possibly beyond with curiosity and a thirst for more.
Stars
(out of 10): 7.5
