Wait Till Dawn

Evocative drama deals with some touchy subjects while barely scratching the surface and therefore demanding that the viewer actually think for themselves. Complete with some intriguing characters, thanks to great storytelling and good acting, this has a realistic feel to it. Almost like a generation X "Lone Star" this movie deserved way better attention than it got.

We were still talking about this three days after seeing it. So many questions are left unanswered that it is easy to see why studio executives chickened out and didn't hype this as a major theatrical release: they probably decided that Little Boy Blue it is too challenging to the "lowest common denominator" mindset which THEY have created among American movie-goers.

One wonders if Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds would have been released by an American studio nowadays; we think probably not -- some idiot would think that American audiences wouldn't understand, appreciate or care to see a movie which leaves ANY questions unanswered at the end, let alone one which leaves open as many questions as does Little Boy Blue.

Bah! Make a challenging movie and the audience will rise to meet the challenge. Little Boy Blue surely ranks among the most intellectually challenging movies of all time; decades from now film students will probably be writing dissertations about the cryptic symbolism of the book kept in the clothesline pole or the name of Jimmy's dog! This is not to suggest that the movie is an all-time great, but it certainly works on many more levels than that of Ryan Phillippe humping someone in the station wagon.

A Ryan Phillippe movie which forces the viewer to think! No wonder he found it so challenging: directors have had him playing blond pretty boys for so long that he probably had a difficult time portraying a character who is as savvy and insightful as he himself is in real life.

I must admit that I am not a real big fan of Ryan Phillippe, but he really surprised me in this film. Instead of just standing there, looking pretty, he was allowed to *GASP!* act! Phillippe did a convincing job, too, as did all the other cast members (even down to the young children).

This movie had many plot twists, which was thoroughly enjoyable. It wasn't easy to figure out. The end leaves you hanging, causing you to think about what happens. It is quite an intelligent film, and I would definitely recommend seeing it.

This "sleeper" is a masterfully done, complex drama. The story unfolds slowly at first, and the relationships among the characters remain somewhat ambiguous during the first part of the movie. However, once the plot starts to unravel, the film becomes a compelling mystery, revealing only hints of the true horror that propels the action. This is probably Phillippe's best work as an actor; he is given the chance to act--and not simply stand around and look pretty--and he is quite good. Savage and Kinski also deliver powerful performances. You'll probably have no trouble finding this one at the video store, since it didn't get much publicity. But it's definitely worth watching.

I am a huge fan of Ryan Phillippe. He has been my idol for forever (visit my website on him: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Movie/7977) Anyway, I was in Suncoast one day and it was on sale, so I decided to buy it and check it out. It was the best choice of my film-oriented life. It is such an amazing film. It captures modern-society so well, its frightening. Everyone gives amazing performances. At times disturbing, but realistic. The realism is what is the scariest part about it. Everyone says that about "Blair Witch", but come on, who HONESTLY liked it. If you find this video in the store, buy it or rent it. You will not regret it.

P.S.- This movie is a very shocking and disturbing movie. It is aimed at an adult audience.