The Calling

This film tells the story of a female detective in a quiet small town, who is addicted to alcohol and pills. Her great friend is murdered one day, and she sets out to find the murderer. Two days later, another murder occurs, and she is determined to get to the bottom of it.

"The Calling" starts off very slow, and I have to say I was about to lose interest in it. Fortunately, the plot turns very engaging soon after the second murder occurs. The puzzle presented here is certainly different from other crime films, which makes this film more captivating. Topher Grace is very good as a young policeman who is intelligent and dedicated. Susan Sarandon looks very good in the film, and I can't quite believe she is already over seventy. I enjoyed this film, and I would recommend it to others.

Detective Hazel Micallef (Susan Sarandon) is the senior officer in the Fort Dundas , Ontario Police Department , a peaceful and with no problem location . Hazel is a veteran patrol woman who formerly attempted to commit suicide herself , being assisted by a likable cop helper (Gil Bellows) . Hazel self-medicates to control the emotional and physical pain on her back . She hasn't had much to worry about in the sleepy town of Fort Dundas until a string of gruesome murders in the surrounding countryside brings her face to face with a serial killer driven by a higher calling . Along the way , there arrives a rookie policeman (Topher Grace) to take his job as a cop assistant . The stubborn Inspector Hazel interrogates the villagers , but nobody tells the whole truth . Hazel learns a serial killer who did not want to be trapped , the reason for committing the murders in different jurisdictions . A bit later on , Hazel consults Catholic priest Father Price (Donald Sutherland) , further leading to the thought that the murderer is working on a ritualistic religious mission with more victims to come . Eventually , the police inspector finds out some tracks until a surprsing finale . Pray for the Prey !

An intriguing and riveting thriller with tension , plot twists, thrills and magnificent interpretations. There are several interesting characters, some of them are suspicious people, but in the cold and foggy location nothing is what it seems . A mystery thriller set in Ontario , located in a hazy , mountainous , snowy location where police woman Hazel/Susan Sarandon has to investigate a series of grisly killings , including some gory frames when the victims appear with their throats slitted . Here stands out the great actress Susan Sarandon giving a fabulous acting , as usual. This veteran actress got long time ago some big hits with notorious films as Atlantic City , Thelma & Louise , Dead Man Walking , following other recent successes as Cloud Atlas , Arbitrage , Enchanted , Irresistible , Elizabethtown , Speed racer , Solitary Man and many others . Highlights of the movie are the splendid and prestigious secondary actors . As Susan Sarandon is well accompanied by a good support cast, such as : Gil Bellows as Inspector helper, Ellen Burstyn as her mother , Topher Grace as the novice assistant , Christopher Heyerdahl as an unsettling fanatic religious , Kristin Booth as a waiter , and , of course , Donald Sutherland providing a brief but awesome performance as a wise priest.

It displays a stirring , moving musical score by Robert Melamed and Mark Petrie , as well as adequate and colorful cinematography by David Jones , shot on location in Dundas, Hamilton, Ontario, Sunderland , Ontario, Canada . This fascinating motion picture was compellingly directed by Jason Stone who was born in Johannesburg, South Africa , being his second film feature . He is a producer and writer, known for The Hardy Boys (2020), This Is the End (2013) and Tender as Hellfire (2009). He has directed various episodes from famous TV Series , such as : Legacies , Motherland: Fort Salem , Riverdale , Aftermath , Van Helsing , Rogue , among others . Rating . 6/10 . Well worth watching . Essential and indispensable seeing for Susan Sarandon fans .

I'm a pretty big fan of this film actually. It has a few flaws writing wise for sure, (Overly typical in a few parts. I think I even rolled my eyes a couple times the first time I saw it.) BUT, overall most of the film is very good if you're into these kinds of stories. That is, serial killer and religious type stories mixed into one. I think there is so much potential in these stories, but few films have really been able to pull them off entirely well. The best such story I can think of off the top of my head on film may actually be the first season of True Detective. It's not so much religious really, but there certainly is a grand spiritual aspect to it, which is very similar and just as good, if not even better to work with. As I said, few films have pulled these types of stories off all that well. But The Calling to me really was a reasonably well executed film, other than a couple small writing bits that truly do rob it from being a great film. Fallen with Denzel and Goodman is better overall, but this film also has its strengths I feel.

Sarandon is terrific as usual. In fact, after Bull Durham, this may be my 2nd favorite Sarandon performance of all, and she has a ton of great ones at this point. If you can forgive a couple pretty bad moments, you may find this well worth a watch too.

7.5/10.

Some people claim they can hear the Calling, like our main bad guy in this movie. While there are some shades and he does have a goal, most of the viewers will not root for him. Of course there is controversy with a theme like that, though I'm surprised that Ebert (movie critic) gave it one of four stars.

Just the acting alone should make you feel this deserves more. Even if you don't like Susan Sarandons character, the way she portrays her and plays her is just amazing. The supporting cast is great too, though it's not a "whoddunnit", but more a "whydunnit". Though the latter might be spoiled in most reviews of the movie. I won't do that here, though I know the "reason" will not be everyones cup of tea. You'll either be engaged with this or you won't

This movie's genre is mis-named. It's contemplative. It's also as dark, northern & cold as its Canadian landscape. Could the same effects not have also been achieved by a director or movie from Finland or Sweden or even Germany? (Compare the slow tempo of much German cinema.) It's a story about a state of mind with little light & much darkness -- and death is just a kiss away. Of course it also has a thriller, hunt-'em-down narrative. But I do not think that is the point. The story masks an attempt to portray a state of mind -- where do I go now? life seems hopeless, pointless & what's the use? -- concerning which mood of mind all of the actors are superb, first rate older (& younger) pros. This is definitely not a fun flick. But definitely first-rate in its own quirky way. Thank you. PS: Why is so much Canadian-based cinema so bitter and dark?