Vigilancia extrema

One thing is for sure, "Surveillance" is different. Different in structure, different in presentation. It is re-watchable, if for no other reason than to see if the script holds up to analysis. Generally I tend to avoid films with a lot of flashbacks, but in this case, the three points of view presented are intriguing. Acting and character development are acceptable. The film has strong violence and some perverted sexual situations, but hey, this is not supposed to be family entertainment. It is what it is, and what it is, is different. I found it to be entertaining because the unique presentation held interest. Give "Surveillence" a try if you are looking for something beyond the obvious. - MERK

As if to demonstrate the old adage that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," director Jennifer Lynch gave the world in her belated sophomore effort, 2008's "Surveillance," a film just as disturbing as any in her father David's oeuvre. Her follow-up to 1993's "Boxing Helena," the film follows two very atypical FBI agents, portrayed by Bill Pullman and Julia Ormond, who are investigating a string of homicides in the plains of Nowheresville. (The picture was shot in the grasslands outside of Regina, Saskatchewan.) The pair interviews three salient witnesses: a young female coke addict (Pell James, who is excellent here), a local cop and an 8-year-old girl (Lynch elicits a wonderfully mature performance from young Ryan Simpkins). By the film's end, the conflicting accounts yield a somewhat clearer picture, before a twist ending really pulls the rug out from under the viewer. Indeed, this ending--a remarkably downbeat, merciless and outrageous shocker--should stun and flabbergast most of the film's audience. A repeat viewing of "Surveillance" demonstrates how very fairly the writers and Lynch have played their game, and will give an added appreciation for certain actors in the cast. "I promise you, it's not like the other films you'll see," Ms. Lynch tells us in one of the DVD's copious extras, and darn if she isn't right! I cannot offhand think of another picture so deliberately amoral, and so blithely ruthless in the treatment of its entire roster of characters. While some might walk away from "Surveillance" clucking "sick, sick, sick," most, I feel, will applaud its bravura daring, technical brilliance, fine acting and shocking windup. It's certainly not a movie to watch with the kids or with Aunt Petunia, but for those game for something different, it should just prove the ticket....

The FBI agents Elizabeth Anderson (Julia Ormond) and Sam Hallaway (Bill Pullman) come to a police station in the middle of the desert to interview the three survivors of a massacre of a serial-killer that they are hunting. The girl Stephanie (Ryan Simpkins); the junkie Bobbi Prescott (Pell James) and the abusive patrol officer Jack Bennett (Kent Harper) are placed in separate rooms and their hearings are recorded through cameras under the surveillance of Agent Sam. Each one tells part of the gore event; when three bodies are found in a motel, the solution of the case seems to be near to be resolved.

"Surveillance" is a weird thriller that uses the idea of "Rashomon", with three persons telling different views of a tragic event. I personally disclosed the plot point based on the weird behavior of Sam Hallaway, but anyway the surprising twist gives a totally different sequence to the result of the investigation. After the uncomfortable "Boxing Helena", Jennifer Lynch returns with another sick and violent story and bizarre characters. I liked this movie but it is recommended for very specific audiences. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Sob Controle" ("Under Control")

A pair of serial killers is on the loose, and their latest hotspot is Nebraska. When the FBI investigates, they find that all the witnesses have conflicting stories and are leaving out parts that make them look bad.

Jennifer Lynch is not her father, and it is not fair to her for everyone to compare them. However, for those who are concerned, this is not on the level of David Lynch (but few things are). In its own right, it's a very entertaining and suspenseful film, and it might keep you guessing until the end. For the first half, we are only given a small part of the story, and it works well... I just had to know the rest.

Bill Pullman is fantastic as always (though he's beginning to show his age). I can't see anyone else in the role. Julia Ormond is not familiar to me, but she is also excellent. Cheri Oteri and French Stewart did a great job in serious, and in Stewart's case menacing, roles... a nice adjustment from their past.

I haven't seen anyone compare this film to the crimes of Charles Starkweather (which inspired "Natural Born Killers"), which strikes me as odd. Two killers driving through Nebraska? Seems like a connection... but then, maybe I'm just crazy.

This film is worth seeing and a fine piece of work. It may not be remembered in a few years (it has already begun to fade quickly), but hopefully word of mouth keeps the attention on it for a while.

Friends...Let me show you the POWER...of the DARK SIDE! Jennifer Lynch, daughter of David Lynch (Mullholand Dr.... Yes, I can see that!) You can rest assured, with each passing year, Ms. Lynch's name will grow ever more prominent! Several friends have rated this 6*. Hmmm, up front, for the record, 9*; loud and clear, front and center. My prognostication: SURVEILLANCE will soon attain "Cult Classic" status, with legions of aficionados. You heard it here first, from the ID of Dr. Morbius!

Now I will tell you exactly WHY: Almost from the very onset, the underlying tension, the nail-biting, sparks-flying friction between characters is hypnotic and entrancingly numbing. Surveillance is beyond dark, to the point of being "Non-commercial"! Now.....is that good? Well, you'll just have to decide that for yourself!

Lots of reviewers have mentioned the "surprise ending". Can't really say anything about that now... Can I???.... Beacuse, obviously, it would cease being a surpuise!!! So.... Without going into any detail... IMHO there are quite obviously 2 back-to-back, from-out-of-left-field plot twists at the end of the movie. Well 3, if you count the...OOPS! I can't really say, now can I? Ms. Lynch is really up to snuff on her movie-making technique. Editing, camera-angles, photography, close-ups, and pacing; SUPERB, ALL of them! WOW!

SURVEILLANCE wasn't a .22 bullet to my brain...it was a .45! Blew my mind in one fell swoop! But this film has "POLARIZING" written all over it! From all soul-searching reviewers, we should see lots of either 8 to 10* ratings, or 2* and 3* Ratings! The violence, although mostly not extremely graphic, nor taking up much on-screen time... To be PRECISE my EXACT rating is 8.5********* but since the only way to express that clearly is putting it in writing...as I am doing right now! This film will really HAUNT YOU!..... ENJOY!