Hey everyone! Annette Kellerman here, back with a vengeance with my first review for this years' SXSW film festival. This is my favorite week of the year-so many great movies to see, it almost hurts! I'm trying once again to break my record of 31 films during the fest, and I couldn't have warmed up with a better film than DISTURBIA.
I try my best not to read too much about a film before I see it, so I went into this film knowing little more than most press callng it an updated version of REAR WINDOW. If your stomach is beginning to turn, please let me assure you that this fantastic effort by director DJ Caruso is so much more. God, I hope that this film is marketed correctly, because it deserves no spot in the ridiculously over saturated teen horror genre. No, no- DISTURBIA is a full-on thriller in every sense of the word.
DJ Caruso kicks you in the gut during the opening sequence with a life altering event for our protagonist "Kale". I don't want to give anything away here, but this scene was a definite first indication that this film is not ****ing around. From there, we quickly see Kale morph from a happy-go-lucky teenager to a troubled youth, ultimately landing himself a fancy ankle bracelet and court ordered house arrest.
Now, the story really begins. Stuck with nothing but endless boredom (his mom has banned video games, TV, etc.) and his imagination, Kale begins spying on his neighbors- including the hottie who just moved in next door. As his days of home incarceration and voyeurism progress, Kale finds himself the unfortunate witness to some questionable activity at another newish neighbors' abode- the screaming, bloody kind of activity. Unable to differentiate his own stir craziness from reality, he decides to sit this one out and keep an eye on the situation with the help of his buddy and the hottie next door.
This flick has all the bells and whistles of a great thriller. Director DJ Caruso has done a tremendous job avoiding the pitfalls of a teen genre film. Instead, he invigorates the audience with his great eye and seemless storytelling. It's so nice to hear original score and not some top 40 bull**** that completely removes you from the moment. Even the obligatory high school party scene is squelched at the get-go and replaced with some good old knucke biting suspense.
Great stuff.
Shia LaBeouf as Kale is just so, so damn good. I'm sure that Caruso is thanking his lucky stars for the opportunity to work with such talent (and vice versa, for sure), but seriously, this kid has chops. Long before all you geeks were salivating over Bay's Transformers, I was a closet Even Stevens fan and have been telling Harry and friends for years to keep their eye on Shia. It's been so great to see his career unfold- and to see him choose such quality work over the years. DISTURBIA perfectly follows suit.
I hope everyone can avoid the bull**** at the cineplex this year and save a precious two hour time slot for a movie that will not waste your time. If you enjoy being entertained, go see DISTURBIA.
Hope to check in throughout the fest!
Annette
