Anamorph

August 5th, 2008







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Anamorph

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Still of Scott Speedman in AnamorphStill of Willem Dafoe in AnamorphStill of Clea DuVall in AnamorphStill of Willem Dafoe and Scott Speedman in AnamorphStill of Willem Dafoe in AnamorphStill of Willem Dafoe and Scott Speedman in Anamorph

Plot
A psychological thriller based on the concept of anamorphosis, a painting technique that manipulates the laws of perspective to create two competing images on a single canvas.

Release Year: 2007

Rating: 5.5/10 (5,663 voted)

Critic's Score: 43/100

Director: Henry Miller

Stars: Willem Dafoe, Scott Speedman, Don Harvey

Storyline
Stan is a quiet, solitary detective in New York City. A few months ago, he solved a gruesome case of serial murders, although an undercover police officer lost her life. A new set of similar murders begins: the bodies are elaborately displayed and the killer uses equipment from art and early movie making in the tableau, or he leaves a clue as to where the investigators are to stand to get the full artistic effect. Stan is paired with a younger detective, Carl, whom he brushes off when Carl wants to get to know him. As pieces fall in place, it's a race to prevent the next killing, quite possibly someone close to Stan.

Writers: Tom Phelan, Henry Miller

Cast:
Willem Dafoe - Stan Aubray
Scott Speedman - Carl Uffner
Don Harvey - Killer
James Rebhorn - Chief Lewellyn Brainard
Peter Stormare - Blair Collet
Amy Carlson - Alexandra Fredericks
Yul Vazquez - Jorge 'George' Ruiz
Clea DuVall - Sandy Strickland
Samantha MacIvor - Crystal
Billy Wheelan - Young Man
Paz de la Huerta - Young Woman
Desiree Casado - Teenage Checkout Girl (as Desiree F. Casado)
Robert C. Kirk - Heavy-Set Detective
Robin Goldsmith - Stone-Faced Detective
Marcia Haufrecht - Diner Waitress

Taglines: Madness. Mayhem. Mutilation. The masterwork of a serial killer.

Release Date: 5 August 2008

Filming Locations: 81 Hudson Street, New York City, New York, USA

Opening Weekend: $3,120 (USA) (20 April 2008) (1 Screen)

Gross: $337,881 (Turkey) (12 October 2008)



Technical Specs

Runtime:

Goofs:
Continuity: When Stan meets his former partner, he rolls down the window of his car on the passenger's's side. During this scene the height of he window is changes in every shot.

Quotes:
Stan: [lecturing to class] Don't be seduced. Avoid psychological speculation related to the killer's intent. We may never know why he did what he did. He may never know. Treat the boundaries of the crime scene like a frame, and limit your analysis to what is presented within it. Sit with it, don't rush things, and above all, in your initial encounter with the crime scene, trust your own eye. Remember, all you really have is what the killer left behind - his work, his aesthetic, if you will.



User Review

Less than I'd hoped for...

Rating: 6/10

I would give this movie about a 6.5 out of 10. It is entertaining, the central plot is somewhat original, and I was a fan of the cinematography. It's rather visually appealing.

That being said, it was definitely not all that I'd hoped for. One of the other reviewers said the filmmakers thought they were making a smarter movie than they actually were, and I have to say I agree with that. The plot concept and the idea of anamorphosis is rather original and has a lot of potential. Yet I feel as if the filmmakers thought that this concept was SO ingenious that they didn't need to develop other parts of the film. The back story, for example, is explicated through memories and conversations so that the past is never wholly or even adequately revealed to the audience. What's worse, the character development is completely lacking. Willem Dafoe, who acting-wise does a nice enough job, reveals certain attributes about his character in very subtle ways. The rest of the characters, however, are pretty one-dimensional and used strictly as plot devices. And, as is common in film, the police work done in the film is a bit illogical.

All and all, the film is all right. I'm a big fan of psychological thrillers and I was certainly on the edge of my seat for a great deal of this one. It's pretty instantly gratifying, but if you take a few minutes to think about what you just saw, you might see some of the flaws I just mentioned.

PS - for those of you who are squeamish: there is little/no actual violence, but plenty of gross dead bodies.





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