Hard Candy

Posted by Jarvis Mishler (jarvis@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 2, 2006

Final Grade: C

Hard CandyRemaining hyped up on creepy, psychological horror from seeing Silent Hill a week ago, I was extremely intrigued by the plot of a little Independent movie titled Hard Candy. It was the uniqueness of the storyline that drew me to theater and it was the same unique storyline that kept me glued to my seat for the entire film! I am quickly becoming a fan of Lions Gate Films.

In a nutshell, I gathered from the trailer that Hard Candy was a Hitchcock-esque thriller about a 32-year-old man that takes a liking to a 14-year-old girl he meets on the Internet. As it turned out, I was right. However, the trailer also led me to believe that this little thriller included a not so familiar twist. As it turned out, I was right again.

Hard Candy is the story of a professional photographer named Jeff Kohlver and his new acquaintance Hayley Stark, the teenage girl he’s been flirting with online. Jeff is surprised when Hayley asks for a face-to-face meeting so soon, but he still accepts without hesitation. After a few of Jeff’s casual mentions about going back to his place, he’s still surprised when Hayley hastily volunteers. A little more flirting takes place during the short car ride and a little more after arriving at Jeff’s place. It is here, 20 minutes in, that the movie takes a hard left turn. It quickly becomes apparent the Hayley has been planning this “casual encounter” for a very long time. Jeff, the poor bastard, has no idea what he’s gotten himself into…


It was this plot twist that made the movie seem so unique to me. After scanning the official site for the movie, I learned that this was exactly what the producers had in mind… “The initial inspiration for Hard Candy was a spate of real-life attacks that took place in Japan. Producer David Higgins read about the cases, in which schoolgirls turned the tables on older men trolling the Internet for underage dates. After one girl established an online relationship with a man, she and her friends would ambush him at a pre-arranged rendezvous. ‘It opened an interesting and different perspective on who was the predator and who was the prey,’ the producer recalls. ‘Then I thought: what if it was just one girl going after Internet predators? I’d never seen a movie about a 14-year-old vigilante do-gooder.” Neither had I Mr. Higgins. Thanks for making the first!

Hard Candy’s unusual plot is driven by its equally unusual leading actors. There are no Colin Farrels or Hillary Duffs here, the movie is helmed by Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page, two almost completely unknown actors. With 99% of the film consisting of interaction solely between Jeff and Hayley, the entire story rests on their performances alone. And they deliver! Patrick Wilson’s Jeff is at various times tortured, introspective, filled with rage, and pathetic. Yet, it was Ellen Page’s Hayley that was the true surprise. The character of Hayley was believable as everything from an innocent girl to vengeful torturer and everything in between.

The simplistic approach to film making felt like a good choice as well. The entire movie takes place in only three locations, and the coffee shop and car ride consist of a mere 20 minutes or so. The movie was not about exotic locals or a hit soundtrack and every behind the scenes decision emphasized this point. Hard Candy is about the battle of wits between to very different moralities. The director’s extensive use of close-ups are a constant reminder of just how personal this story is intended to be.

Hard Candy is an excellent depiction of a mental battle between predator and prey. The movie’s real strength is in the constant confusion over who exactly is predator and who exactly is prey. The film kept me guessing about outcomes and kept me thinking about moral repercussions just as a I would expect from any good independent movie. Director David Slade’s film has impressed me a great deal and I am now extremely excited that he will be directing the film adaption of 30 Days Of Night! I would recommend Hard Candy to Thriller Fans, Suspense Fans, Hitchcock Fans, and Indie Film connoisseurs. I would not recommended to Delicate Types that may find the subject matter too intense or anybody that desires more action and less dialogue from their movies.

The Upside:
Psychological, creepy, mysterious, intriguing, nice twists, and very well acted. Best antagonist I’ve seen this year!
The Downside:
Some of the head games may feel drawn out and slow for some viewers. While the movie is unusual, not enough of it (aside from Ellen Page’s performance) is amazing.
On the Side:
The title comes from Internet slang for an under-aged girl.

Film Stats:
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Ellen Page, Sandra Oh
Directed by: David Slade
Writing Credits: Brian Nelson
Release Date: January 2005 (Sundance Film Festival)
Country: USA
MPAA: Rated R for disturbing violent and aberrant sexual content involving a teen, and for language.
Run Time: 103 min.
Studio: Lion’s Gate (official site)
Trailer

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  • Nik
    I'm confused, it sounded like a thouroughly positive review, but you gave it a c. I can't wait to see this movie... that remains untainted.
  • Jarvis grades tougher than your average critic.

    We just chalk it up to his painfully high standards... His C is everyone else's B. That's just my take, though. I think it is good to have high standards.
  • I was wondering if that was going to cause problems. I'll add this little bit of clarification then:

    Hard Candy was . . . interesting. The plot was unique and not one of Hollywood's regurgitated stories that we've seen 300 times. The entire movie reminded me of Hitchcock and that's very, very good. Additionally, Patrick Wilson played a good Jeff and Ellen Page played a fantastic Hayley. Kudos to a super creepy character portrayed by such a young actor.

    However...

    That was it. That was all the movie had going for it. The story was interesting only because of the young girl's part. Aside from that, it really could have been any other movie. The movie wasn't good so much as novel. Novelty may be a reason to see a movie, but novelty alone can't make that movie 'good'.

    Hope that helps. I'll make an effort to be a little clearer next time.
  • Thanks for the explanation. I was lost on the grade as well. And I know you have higher-than-average standards (mostly for the chicks you date, ha!), but wouldn't then grade tougher than the average critic. Your grades reflect a comprehensive view of the total package...thanks for clarifying points of that package that weren't evident in your initial review.
  • I just realized something and had to share it... I've NEVER been a fan of movie reviews. I'd avoid them, never read them, they bored me to death. Never found them to offer more than what you could read from the DVD cover itself or find online in an instant by a biased party. And everyone always seems to have the same opinion about every movie. Until Jarvis's reviews appeared, that is. I find there's something new, some uncovered fact or point, that his reviews disclose that I might not ever read or learn anywhere else. I didn't know a movie review could actually be interesting. I'll definitely be coming back for more.
  • Justine, uh . . . thanks I guess. I think it's a little to early in my movie reviewing career to pick up a stalker, but I know you're not the type. Besides, musicians are way more fun to stalk than movie fanatics.

    Seriously though, I do appreciate it. I try to put a little more into the reviews than "Thrilling!" or "Edgy!" or whatever other keyword seems to be hip these days. I also try to keep in mind the intention of each film. Not every film intends to scare you, make you cry, make you laugh, or give you deep thoughts to ponder. Some films are merely trying to entertain you for a few hours.

    We'd do well to remember that.
  • "I try to put a little more into the reviews than “Thrilling!” or “Edgy!” or whatever other keyword seems to be hip these days."

    Uh oh... I use those words...
  • Joelene
    Justine: I'm with you on that one. Keep it up Jarvis. Looking forward to seeing this movie.
  • You know, I've never considered stalking; but now, I might have to take it up just for experience's sake...
  • sara
    i watched hard candy yesterday and i'm absolutely obsessed i want so many questions answered and i know there are no answers to them it drives me crazy but i think thats the reason i like it i also really enjoy the fact that no matter what you say about this movie wheather you loved it or hated it, it still ate at your brain so much you had to write something about it just to get it out of your system that to me is pure brilliance
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