At
this point I would like to get something out in the open; this is NOT
a horror film. Horrific, yes, in many instances, but a horror film it
is not. The fact that the film was marketed solely to a target audience
of horror fans is perplexing though most likely has much to do with
its distributor, Lionsgate, the mega company who releases primarily
scary fare. Thankfully the advertising and trailers seemed to be pretty
straightforward, at least to me. I must admit that the slow build in
hype coupled with the limited release of Hard Candy made me suspicious;
namely in the fact that it smacked of some kind of artsy horror film,
two tastes that do not go great together. Despite my gut feelings I
found the trailer intriguing and decided to give it a chance. I was
not disappointed. I went in and got pretty much what I expected but
was somehow affected in a very real way, which was clear to my friends
by my stunned silence the rest of the evening. I don’t want to
get political, and I don’t want to make Hard Candy out to be more
than it is. What we are dealing with here is a simple character piece,
taking place primarily in one location, with only two actors: a low
budget film’s wet dream as long as you’ve got strong actors.
This is the case with Hard Candy.
By now you’re familiar with the premise: a 32 year old photographer/pedophile
(Patrick Wilson) finds a young girl on an internet chat room (Canadian
actress, Ellen Page) and they meet in a coffee shop. After some flirtation
that I found painful to watch (we all remember the embarrassment of
adolescent flirting) they decide to go back to his place to get to know
each other better. It isn’t long before we find out who the real
predator is, at least in this moment.
Over the next hour the photographer is subjected to countless mind games,
which are increasingly frustrating for him. I can only imagine the annoyance
of having a 14 year old drug you beat you and tie you up, and then talk
to you for hours, that’s what I call punishment. But it only gets
worse as the story movies along. Things take a turn towards the darkly
sexual when our young tormentor begins the process of castration! This
is truly the scariest part of the film for most men I know who have
seen it. I know what psychologists would say but I will gladly admit
that this part of the film is uniquely arousing. Here is where the difference
comes in however. The castration itself is not arousing, at least not
to me and I don’t want to meet anyone for whom it is. But along
with the nasty business of testicle removal there was an intense intimacy
and confidence, a sexy kind of control blended with kindness not unlike
acts within the BDSM community.
I will not give away the ending because it’s just too precious
a thing to ruin for you. Ellen Page is a superb actress and chillingly
beautiful, one whom I hope to see more from in the future, though maybe
a little less predatory next time. Patrick Wilson somehow manages to
make your heart hurt for a pedophile, which is not an easy task to accomplish.
I think Hard Candy is an important film and hope that it will not be
overlooked by its target audience and beyond. Hard as it may be to get
through the subject matter, I look forward to seeing this movie again.
At
this point I would like to get something out in the open; this is NOT
a horror film. Horrific, yes, in many instances, but a horror film it
is not. The fact that the film was marketed solely to a target audience
of horror fans is perplexing though most likely has much to do with
its distributor, Lionsgate, the mega company who releases primarily
scary fare. Thankfully the advertising and trailers seemed to be pretty
straightforward, at least to me. I must admit that the slow build in
hype coupled with the limited release of Hard Candy made me suspicious;
namely in the fact that it smacked of some kind of artsy horror film,
two tastes that do not go great together. Despite my gut feelings I
found the trailer intriguing and decided to give it a chance. I was
not disappointed. I went in and got pretty much what I expected but
was somehow affected in a very real way, which was clear to my friends
by my stunned silence the rest of the evening. I don’t want to
get political, and I don’t want to make Hard Candy out to be more
than it is. What we are dealing with here is a simple character piece,
taking place primarily in one location, with only two actors: a low
budget film’s wet dream as long as you’ve got strong actors.
This is the case with Hard Candy.