EARLY REVIEW - CASE 39 (2009) by jeff

CAST: Renee Zellweger, Bradley Cooper, Ian McShane, Jodelle Ferland, Adrian Lester, Cynthia Stevensen, Callum Keith rennie

Directed By Christian Alvert
Written By: Ray Wright
Cinemantography By: Hagen Bogdanski
Editor: Mark Goldblatt

The less known about this film going in the better


SPOILER ALERT

For those of you who have seen this or just don’t want to heed the warning here we go.

The film is interesting as it starts out it seems like some intense drama. It seems like it’s going to be a uplifter about a social worker who puts her money where her mouth is and makes a change. Then it changes into more of an THE BAD SEED type film.

My original expectations was that since the kid looked so cute that Zellweger’s character would take her in then the parents would get out and try to hunt them down. But noting Child Actor Ferland’s usual role in many strange films such as TIDELAND and SILENT HILL. I should have been prepared for where the film went.

It turns into a pretty solid Thriller with Supernatural overtones. I would call it a horror film but there is a lack of scares and violence in the film. It is more unsettling then anything. Though there is some violence. As the film goes along you find yourself getting pulled in more and wandering what will happen next. At first I was worried what such good actors were doing in this film that is really beneath them and gives them nothing to do but after the twenty minute mark the film really hits it’s stride.

I can see why this film never got a theatrical release which is rather better for it as to get people to go to the film they would have to reveal the twists to get people to pay good money to see it. With that reveal you take away the enjoyment of finding things out as the movie goes along. Which makes this an excellent straight to home video movie as you have low expectations going in, So you are surprised that the film is actually pretty good at least better then it really deserves to be. It might have even been a good cable premiere.

I will fully admit I am not the biggest Renee Zellweger fan but I have to admit I surprisingly liked her in this film. This would mark the third film I have enjoyed with her in it (The previous being BRIDGET JONES DIARY and JERRY MAGUIRE)

This film would be a good companion piece to ORPHAN though this film is not as gruesome.

A Satisfying Rental

GRADE: B-