Hard Candy

Yesterday afternoon while recovering from the Marathon, Bobby and I watched a film called Hard Candy. I was in the middle of posting when beloved husband put in the DVD, so I was planning to watch the movie with one eye on the computer screen and one on the TV. But I think it was 5 minutes into the movie when it gripped me by its very uncomfortable and very disturbing tentacles and did not let go until the end when the credits rolled.

There are more and more movies these days that partake in this kind of horror. Not those with ghosts and other spectral beings or those staring aliens with acid for blood, but the ones with real life monsters. Like the insane sadistic genius in Saw 1, 2 and 3 or the wannabe very mad surgeons in Hostel. I watch movies like these with detachment (i.e. I watch with my eyes behind a cushion, my fingers or Bobby's) because the copious blood, gore and general grotesqueness too believable for my delicate nerves. But I can hack it if you leave the blood and gore to a bearable level and pile on the psychological thrills. And Hard Candy is one hell of a psychological ride.

Hard Candy (an internet slang for underaged girl) tells the story of a 14 year old girl called Hayley who goes online and befriends Jeff who is 18 years her senior. The movie begins with an active instant messaging window on a computer screen. A few IM 'conservations' later and you have this vague sense of dread. By the time the 14 year old teenager ends up at the house of a man who could possibly be a paedophile, you know there is no turning back.

By the way, there is a castration scene. Boys, you have been warned.

Effectively there are only two actors in this movie: Ellen Page, as Hayley Stark, and Patrick Wilson, as 32 year old Jeff Kohlver. You would think that a two-person movie has its tedious moments, but I can't remember one. The movie is relentlessly disturbing and you feel the effects long after the movie has ended. This is largely due to the superb Ellen Page (19 years old and who was Kitty Pryde in this year's X-Men 3: The Last Stand) who played the little red riding hood that turned on the big bad wolf in the best of ways. It is a difficult movie to watch but it is a good one. At the very least it is edifying; You come away fearful, and more aware, that there are big bad wolves lurking in the bushes and online all too ready to prey on the little ones.

Comments

[EmmaGoodEgg]

Unharm - I LOVE The Shining! Even the opening credits made my skin crawl. redrum redrum redrum yikes! xx

[unharm]

Brisbane's Indooroopilly cineplex aired this movie in July. I'm still interested in it, thanks for bringing it up.

Oh btw, have you watched The Shining? It's an old movie but a sick one for me.

Eye 10 is both hilarious and terrifying.

My poor heart. >.<

[EmmaGoodEgg]

Jo, you can get Hard Candy at the DVD shop many call 'Kedai Komunis' in Gadong (at the same building where RMS Diner is located) xx

[Jo]

hard candy was an awesome movie. i love the way it was directed and the storyline sends chills down my spine, i am also looking for a copy of the dvd, where did you get yours from?

[Zippy]

Wid, I was actually thinking of Audition when you were describing through Hayley's drastic character change.

Emma, hopefully Hard Candy is not as slow as Audition? I love my horrors, and defo will check this one out.

[3 stripes]

Hi Emma, I caught the movie last month. Pretty disturbing and psychotic to say the least. Didn't know the ice trick works *cough* haha..

[Widarchitect]

ohmygod.GOD! how brilliant is Ellen Page/Hayley in that film?! I love how she goes from demure, shy, sweet and oh-so-innocent to manic, psycho-nurse-on-the-loose. And even then you're not sure what the character is meant to be thinking. Just rewind to the bit in the beginning when they first meet, then fast forward to the bit near the end where she's giving him the ultimatum. Personally, the best female acting I've experienced this year. By a mile. xxw p.s did you guys ever see Audition? that jap horror flick a couple years ago..? If you got that gooey feeling when he gets his come-uppance you'll love love this!