After a dreadful Summer, this reviewer is willing to watch any half- decent film, if the trailer appeals. Sadly, the trailer for this film showed too much. As did the film. The camera was constantly spinning and swinging, thus spoiling viewing. The movie was filmed like a cheap horror movie that viewers may see on late-night cable channels. It is without doubt the worst-filmed movie that I have ever seen in a cinema.
As story opens, we realize a killer is loose. As the trailer shows, the gimmick of this film is that Anthony Hopkins, who played Dr Hannibal Lecter, (Hannibal the Cannibal), in 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), here is playing a good guy. The other gimmick, is that both he, and the killer, have ESP. This was a good premise, but the film played out as a rather predictable, and derivative, by the numbers story.
'Solace' has a UK rating of 15, and the horror-style of filming, had the audience gasping at some of the more gory scenes. Further gasps were caused by a couple of clever twists. Sadly, much more was rather predictable. One highlight of the film was the choice of music. The choice of music early on in the film is sublime. Firstly, when Anthony Hopkins, in the country, starts taking an interest in the case, and secondly, when he is walking along the street after arriving in the city. Other music also adds to the excitement in scenes throughout the film.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Abbie Cornish play FBI Agents trying to track down the killer. Mr Morgan recently played a horrible and memorable villain in the Western 'The Salvation' (2014). Both Mr Morgan and Miss Cornish have emotional scenes, which they play well. Kenny Johnson, familiar from 'The Shield' TV series, (2002-2006), is also good in a small part.
Director Afonso Poyart must take the blame for this badly filmed movie. There are car-chases with takes so fast that they are like a blur, and the viewer has no real idea what is happening. Overall, the movie is filmed like a cheap horror movie. There are one or two clever flourishes, but on the whole, it is just uncomfortable viewing.
The film does raise an interesting moral question but it never answers it. The subject-matter actually leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth. The story was written by Ted Griffin and the screenplay by Sean Bailey. Both Mr Bailey and Sir Anthony Hopkins were Executive Producers. As said, the interesting opening premise, sadly does not live up to it's promise.
No doubt, there may be some who have taken drugs, who will enjoy the spinning camera work. For others though, they may wish the drugs they took were travel-sickness pills, or maybe just took a sick-bag. Those familiar with Director Paul Greengrass's 'Captain Phillips' (2013), and Director Anton Corbijn's 'A Most Wanted Man' (2014), are warned that this film 'Solace' is a much more badly filmed movie. 6/10.
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