Surveillance

Better than you might expect from a low budget thriller. The cast, Armand Assante, Nick Cornish, and Laurie Foster, give good performances. Initially the script is fine, as the story unfolds of a mall security guard who tries to control everyone who works there. His strong arming and blackmail puts a certain edge on the film that is always present. If the script had not been altered to inject a hardly developed horror element, the film would have benefited. There simply is too much left unexplained relating to the mannequins and the missing persons. Finally, the let's leave room for a sequel ending, seems totally out of place. "Surveillance" is very watchable, but could have been better. - MERK

I found it in DVD rental, and took it in lack of better promises. It started interesting, and was good until some 60%. But ending is very disappointing. Nothing is explained, dead bodies just appear everywhere... It looks that producer(s) ran out of money (or ideas?). There were some minor clues to explain Assante's characters behavior, but all it was not enough for build story (and of course character). Even romantic relation between rookie and blondie was interrupted - just like that :(

With better ending it could be solid thriller.

Acting was good for this level of production. Watch it only if appears on TV.

Enjoyed this film 100%. Not only was it dramatic, from blackmail, to murder. (Armand Assante) played a really great bad guy,(Harley). The setting of the movie took place during the holiday season, which is a beautiful time to fall in love. And that set the stage for the wonderful romance that developed between Dennis (Nick Cornish), and Claire (Laurie Fortier). Amist all the drama unfolding at this department store, being terrorized by this creepy loss prevention supervisor that would stop at nothing, and their very lives at stake, they turned to each other and worked as a team. Hope to see these actors a lot more in the near future. Didn't know of this movie until I just happened to catch it on a cable TV channel, but turned out to be a very nice find. Not to be confused with several other movies with the same name, the plot and setting was very strong in this film. and the ending didn't disappoint. Wonderful acting and script writing. Kudos to writer (David Golden), and director (Fritz Kiersch). This movie hit its mark..

Harley is a reclusive mall security guard whose life's obsession is to apprehend potential shoplifters through a state-of-the-art electronic surveillance network. Trouble is, the would-be shoplifters mysteriously disappear. Dennis, Harley's young apprentice, starts to dig into the shady past of his introvert boss. What he discovers is not very pleasant.

The concept behind "Surveillance" escapes the stereotypical clichés of the genre. The movie is solidly built around a robust script with emphasis on plot and character development rather than special effects. Armand Assante delivers a convincing performance as the enigmatic Harley. Direction is by legendary director Fritz Kiersch, whose credits include the cult horror classic "Children of the Corn." The producers include none other than Academy Award winner Gray Frederickson, whose resume boasts "Apocalypse Now" and the "Godfather" series. The production was filmed for very little money in Oklahoma City. Especially notable is the production design by Rebekah Bell and the art department who managed to pull off a credible job on a shoestring budget.

Does one security guard with an assistant cover an entire mall, including every department store, and payroll, and computer security? Seems like a stretch. Nick Cornish was great, but casting a 30 year old to play a college student is pushing it. Speaking of 30-something, would 32-year old Laurie Foster be the acting manager of the entire mall? Okay, I can look past those scenarios. But what's up with the horror scenes? There is never any finality to the scene with the living mannequin. What happens to the bodies of the tortured victims? Finally, how does someone grow their hair that long in such a hurry (maybe a wig)? Entertaining, but needed some closure.