[phileysmiley]

<img src="http://parcom.pronetworks.org/images/0424tri.jpg" align="right" alt="tribeca film festival"><font color="maroon">by Larry Richman </font>
<font color="gray" size="1">May 1, 2007 1:49 PM</font>

Here are some more answers to questions I've been getting. Just a reminder that I never post spoilers and will only answer to the extent that it doesn't give away details of the story.

<em>How was the look and the writing of the movie? Was it special or more ordinary?</em>

It had the look of a big budget film although I know it wasn't. There are some very cool visual effects but I can't say why because it would be a spoiler. They used handheld with closeups for some of the more chilling parts and it really created a lot of tension. I felt some Hitchcock influences. One of the most amazing things about the film is that there are moments when you think, "no, that won't happen" and then it does. It really was shocking.

The script is filled with poetic statements, hearkening back to the Chinese proverb which the story is based on. There is a lot of voiceover with each segment's main character. While the voiceovers are somewhat oblique, the dialogue is quite blunt and to the point.

<em>Thank you for posting that this film looked to you to be an ensemble piece! Your weighing in with this, Larry, helped to dispel (in part) the rumor that this is only Sarah's film as her fans appear to have taken over. Now, I may be wrong, but that's what I was noticing, anyway.</em>

Yes, it is definitely an ensemble piece. It is split into four basic parts and Sarah is the main character in the 3rd part. She does appear in the others but it's not "about" her per se.

<em>Thank you for your review Larry! Can you tell me what's Sarah's name in the movie?</em>

Thank you! I guess it's not a spoiler since we find this out pretty early on. Her name is Trista.

<em>First off, thanks for all you're doing, but I must ask you...you keep saying "hard to watch at times." Is there any way you can kind of explain this more somehow? </em>

Sure. There's quite a bit of violence. I don't say this as a negative in any way, though. Frankly, I've been seeing lots of films with lots of violence lately. But there's a lot and it looks very real. They didn't pull any punches like movies often do.
<em>
Is there a lot of torture?? </em>

Yes.

I only say this because I think people ought to be prepared. I don't see it as a spoiler because I think if people know this going in they will be able to handle it better. I would hate for people to go see it and be so upset that they don't follow the film. So I think it's fair to say it.

I'm not sure how folks will react to the film. It's not a typical movie and is hard to watch at times. It's really a character piece which follows a general theme. On the face of it it looks almost like a crime drama but it takes patience and thought to get the point of it. Not everyone is able to do that. But it is definitely worth the effort.