The Phantom of the Paradise really dug APT PUPIL and sent in this review via the telephone. His raspy metallic Swan-manipulated voice echoed in my ear. I'm dying to see this film, and to hear Ottman's score. Anybody heard the music separate? Well here's Erich's look...
A friend of mine asked me to go with her to see a test screening of a new movie based on a novella by Steven King. I almost passed up the chance to see it, because normally I am not a fan of most thriller/suspense/horror movies. But then again, "Apt Pupil" is not your typical thriller/suspense/horror film. It's a darkly sinister movie that eases you into the lives of two unlikely friends (if you can call them that), and how the holocost brought them together and eventually tears their lives apart. It has a marvelous screenplay and had me on the edge of my seat for most of the movie. It's almost like watching a car accident. As much as you wish you could look away, you just can't.
Brad Singer has a follow up that may even show up The Usual Suspects. Brad Renfro and Ian McKellan are marvelous as the leads. I had not seen either actor in a movie before, and was quite impressed by their performances. More than a few times, I caught myself tearing at my fingernails in an attempt at stress relief. David Schwimmer as the school counselor is so-so, but pulls off the nice-guy image they were going for.
The only thing in the movie that I was less than impressed with was the very last image. I'm not giving it away, but hopefully they'll change it before it comes out in theaters.
Normally, I'll only go to see a movie in a theater once, but I'm definitely going back to see this one again when it's finally released. I strongly recommend it for fans of any genre of film.
