Das Kovak Labyrinth

THE KOVAK BOX is a successful little suspense/psychological thriller from the Spanish writers Daniel Monzón (who also directs) and Jorge Guerricaechevarría. The story may be a bit far fetched, but then what horror story isn't? The premise for the tale holds up well and is aided by some very fine performances by a mixture of Spanish, English, and American actors. The mood of the film is beautifully set during opening credits by a complex maze in which a white rat sniffs and ambulates from confusing corner to confusing wall - just the manner in which director Monzón plans to tell his story.

David Norton (Timothy Hutton) is a celebrated science fiction novelist visiting Majorca for a special conference accompanied by his soon to be fiancée Jane (Georgia Mackenzie). David has been having premonitions on his flight to the conference and those brooding thoughts continue as he registers for the conference and finds little disturbing clues that culminate in Jane's suicide leap from their hotel balcony. Almost simultaneously an attractive Spanish girl Silvia (Lucía Jiménez) in the same hotel 'jumps' from her balcony but is saved from death by falling onto an awning. Jane dies in the hospital: Silvia is in the bed next to Jane, witnesses David's grief, and the beginning of a bond is created.

David meets a strange old man Frank Kovak (David Kelly) who seeks an autograph of David's first novel 'Gloomy Sunday' and from there the mystery begins. David becomes the unknowing main character in a sci-fi story that mimics ideas from his own first book, a story about the implantation of devices in humans that would enable a central force to assist the victims in their own destructive ends. The plot is tightly woven from this point on and to reveal any portion of it would diminish the chair-gripping finale.

Timothy Hutton seems an odd choice for the main character of the film until his combination of cool intellect and understated passion clicks in. The film is graced by the presence of the talented Lucía Jiménez who seems to have the potential of becoming another Penelope Cruz! The cinematography by Carles Gusi and musical score by Roque Baños make the setting visually and aurally spectacular. For those who enjoy mind bender thrillers, THE KOVAK BOX will certainly please. Grady Harp

I love the basic premise of this movie and it sounded like it could be good based on the plot, filming locations, and some decent actors.

Unfortunately the movie fails at being creepy, scary, or even creating any form of tension. I get the feeling that the actors were just going through the motion.

There is no chemistry between the two main characters, the Villain seems very weak, and there are no real surprised or twists.

This movie seems like a toned down "In the Mouth of Madness" filmed in the Mediterranean.

My best advice is to rent In The Mouth of Madness instead.

Dean

I'm not sure I've seen the 'Gloomy Sunday' reference explained here. 'Gloomy Sunday' was written by Hungarian composer Rezső Seress in 1933. The song is legendary for (allegedly) causing people to commit suicide after hearing it. Check out Wikipedia (search 'Gloomy Sunday') for the very interesting background on the song.

As for the movie, I really thought it was first-rate. I found it at the video store, and got it thinking it might at least entertain me. It did more than that - the plot had me hooked from the first five minutes on.

A "Kovak Box" is explained in the movie, but that itself is a reference to the "Skinner Box" of B.F. Skinner. This article, which comes from Snopes.com provides some very interesting background tidbits to the movie - you will recognize where certain plot elements come from - http://www.snopes.com/science/skinner.asp.

If you like movies with a lot of intrigue, this is a great one to rent.

I don't agree with some reviews here . Really this is a movie with an original screenplay that keep suspense throughout all the movie , something that so many Hollywood movies don't achieve even if they try . The music soundtrack is excellent, by Spanish composer Roque Baños, and Timothy Hutton does a fantastic job in this film. This is a good genre film and as that it fully achieves its goals. David Kelly does a fantastic job too in his role . The director is Daniel Monzón , previously a movie critic for Fotogramas magazine and this is his 3rd movie as a director . In resume , this movie don't pretend to be nothing but a genre movie. And as that it succeeds.

The story concerns about David (Timothy Hutton), a sci-fi bestsellers author . He arrives in Mallorca (Spain) along with his fiancée . But after a phone call , she spontaneously jumps from hotel balcony , committing herself suicide. The writer investigates the deeds but happen lots of people committing suicide all around him . Later on , he meets Silvia (Lucia Jimenez) who has survived her own and inexplicable suicide trying , jumping from a room . Both of them join forces and are plunged into a nightmarish game . They pursue a suspect doctor (Gary Piquer) with dark intentions . Meanwhile , David is appointed a strange character named Kovak (David Kelly) who hands him over a rare box . The plot stretches plausibility to the final breakpoint, proceeded in the Caves of the Hell.

This exciting picture packs suspense , noisy action , twists plots , tension and marvelous landscapes from island of Mallorca . The film contains thrills and chills and is quite entertaining because is a laborious and intriguing suspense tale . Timothy Hutton is good as a writer who becomes the reluctant hero of one of his own stories , though this time , he has no idea how it ends . Interesting and thrilling screenplay by Jorge Guerricaechevarria (Alex De Iglesia's usual screenwriter) . Colorful cinematography by Carlos Gusi (Torrente, Box 507) who photographs splendidly island Mallorca outdoors and luxurious interiors . Spectacular and atmospheric musical score by Roque Baños (Fragiles , Machinist ,Sexy beast ,800 bullets). The motion picture was well directed by Daniel Monzon , a former cinema critic . He previously directed fantasy (Heart of warrior ) , comedy (Biggest robbery never told) and wrote the thriller ¨Camino de Paraiso¨ ; his greatest hit was the prison movie titled ¨Celda 201¨ . Rating : Good , better than average . The film will appeal to twisted stories buffs and Timothy Hutton fans.