The Seventh Floor

It seems that many people think it's easy to be(come) Alfred Hitchcock. Well, this movie really has something that might look like Hitch. In his (rare) bad moments.

First half of the movie is preparing us quite slowly, but not boring. In fact, it's almost astonishing how relations develop, and the changes of direction in the plot happen often (more surprising than confusing), so it reminds on 'Psycho'. Characters are like 'Strangers in the Train' - no one we could like. The actors don't try to convince we should like them either; this is a welfare for this part of the movie, because we still don't know what to expect, and distinguish good and bad guys. Quite soon, however, we understand Brooke Shields is the good one, and the others compete who is more evil. No one she and we can trust (like 'Rebecca'). In second half of the movie we understand almost everything, and the lack of surprises destroys all the suspense this movie could have been full of if made by Hitchcock. In fact, I presume the director is not the one to blame, he couldn't have put in movie something screenplay didn't contain (only thing he could have done to save it was to rewrite last 40 or 50 minutes). He keeps our attention successfully, leading us through the movie as if it is interesting, and we wait for something that never comes. When the movie turns to be a thriller, almost horror, we don't get a single twist in the plot any more, and also not a satisfying explanation about the motives of the (most) evil person. This movie deserves a new version that would keep only first half and change the rest completely.

And the last scene (less than a minute) is a change that finally completely ruins the construction. It is borrowed from modern horrors (Nightmare on Elm Street # 1 and his countless copies). You can't stick it to a Hitch-like movie. It looks as if 'Dial M for Murder' ends with someone looking for the key on the stairs (but after few years), or if in last scene of 'Frenzy' appears a hand holding a tie.

Not to avoid. Not to look for. Watch if there's nothing better to do, and if you don't admire Hitchcock too much so you would be insulted.

I just finished watching this movie on Lifetime and I'm glad I got to see it. I didn't know this movie existed until I found it listed on the film appearances of Brooke Shields. And The, Seventh Floor is nothing great but a must see due to Brooke Shields when a movie or TV-series has Brooke it is a must watch. The movie starts and ends with mystery it has Brooke Shields as an advertising executive who struggles with life after the death of her husband then she moves to an apartment building and starts a romance with a computer whiz but later Brooke learns of his secret past and his cruel intentions I must say that Masaya Kato reminds me of The Los Angeles "Night Stalker" the appearance is identical. Kato goes to great measures by using cameras to spy on Brooke all the time and Kato even arranges the programming of a computer to destroy other employees of the agency. Brooke is even tied with tape and chains and has her mouth taped with a piece of white tape never worry Brooke defeats her anxiety and rescues her way out of the life of Kato. Still in the end Brooke receives the strange voice phone call from the supposed dead sister of Mitsuru that just leaves the viewer in more suspense. The, Seventh Floor is nothing great but try to catch it sometime on Lifetime I'm sure they will show it again plus another chance to see the beautiful Brooke Shields if you like her other works you will enjoy her here also.

as an Australian i remember when Brooke was in Sydney shooting this film and all the media attention it received.she did the rounds promoting the film and i was extremely excited when it finally aired not long after filming finished. I'm not sure she should have bothered.the film in itself is not a total disaster.its entertaining enough,but i think the let down are her co stars and their seeming lack of acting experience. Brooke does a good job with a silly script and looks beautiful as always playing an American widow living in Australia trying to deal with her late husbands financial business woes.its fun to see Brooke in a role in such a departure from her roles previous but even that fact cannot save this film-maybe the director should have kept her out of a morbid wardrobe of suits and overcoats. worth a look for Brooke fans only.