Compulsion (2013)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Better Late Then Never

A Major Disappointment

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

OK, enough is enough, I decided to watch this movie, even with its low rating, because someone said it was still worth the rental, I mean come on! the movie has a rating below avg, and if I gave it a shot was because of HG, but it's a total fail, the movie its based on a lame obsession and stupid drama, we stay there for an hour waiting for something to happened and we get nothing, nothing at all, just more lame drama and don't get me wrong the acting and everything except the story its fine, very disappointing. Just watch something else guys. Oh! and this isn't even a "R" movie, its more like "PG-13" yeah! because teenagers are the only ones who might be interested in lame drama.

Amy and Saffron live near one another. If the blinds are open, they can see into each other's apartments. As the picture starts, Detective Reynolds is looking into Saffron's disappearance.Through flashbacks, Reynolds learns that Amy and Saffron knew each other somewhat well. Amy is an aspiring TV cook, while Saffron is an actress and a commentator for women's magazines. The rise and fall of the romance between Amy and Fred is detailed. After that fails, Amy tries to get closer to Saffron.As Amy's obsession with getting a cooking show continues to fail, Saffron's acting career keeps gliding downward. After her breakup with Fred is well on its way, Amy continues to try to get closer to Saffron, who remains standoffish at first.Amy insists on Saffron's trying her dishes, but Saffron is a bulimic who smokes. More than once she barfs up what Amy has more or less force-fed her. Amy loves Saffron's old movies, as does Amy's mother. Saffron slowly warms to Amy. We have a flash back to Saffron being casting-couch raped as a child star when the director who did it wants her to audition for a new role. So, that opportunity was another dead end.Amy and Saffron get to know each other after that; how well does that turn out? ------Scores-------Cinematography: 10/10 Simply gorgeous.Sound: 10/10Acting: 8/10 The two leads were fine, as were Joe Montegna and Kevin Dillon.Screenplay: 5/10 The content misses the mark in a lot of ways. Amy's cooking obsession is over-abundantly clear, and loses some focus because of that. Saffron's trying to hold onto her place as a young star is rather sad. She does not make the adjustment to mature roles, which is unfortunate since studios show interest in her for middle-aged roles. Intellectually, anyway, it's clear what either of them should do, but they don't do it. This backdrop dulled my interest in the lesbian affair and in the missing persons investigation. The screenplay was by far the worst part of the film. There is too much repetition, and it is too slow going forward.

Going by the name I initially thought that 'Compulsion' was a Roman Polanski film. However it turns out to be a remake of a mid 90s Korean movie titled '302'. While viewing this one would not become immediately aware of this. The theme isn't exactly Korean cinema type. As a matter of fact the subject matter is more akin to Hitchcock or European films. However the plot will be familiar to those who have seen 'Diabolique'. The theme is very similar. The story focuses on two characters who seem to be hiding their real intentions from one another. The film very cleverly mixes humour in regular intervals with the serious tone. There is also a mystery element involved. Unfortunately not much unravels in terms of plot to assist the viewer to discover the character motives.Graham plays a woman who enjoys cooking. Ann Moss is a struggling writer who has happened to move in to the apartment opposite. Graham constantly insists her to try her new dishes, but Moss always seems to refuse. Her presence also seems to bother her. Meanwhile there is a detective played by Joe Mantegna who is questioning Graham regarding Moss's disappearance. This is shown in flashback mode. Both Moss and Graham become close to each other and share one another's sorrows. The acquaint romantically and at the end the truth to Moss's disappearance is revealed. For a short film this does have a slow pace. Initial time is spent showing the interactions between Heather Graham and Carrie Ann Moss. In terms of plot there isn't much to offer. Slow development of characters take up much time in the early stage of the film. Graham has the entire centre of attention here as she flaunts her beauty and charm in almost every reel. She makes the movie watch able. The twist in the climax doesn't surprise as it is not explained why Graham had a murderous streak. There never were any clues throughout the film that would arise doubt. Identifying her a killer was a little beyond believability. However when this is revealed in a certain scene, it was stylishly done. Overall this film has a very noir atmosphere. Some may like it, some may won't.

An enjoyable little film full of the kind of intense and intimate relationships that you normally only find on a stage. Hopefully that will be enough to set the scene as Compulsion is not really a film, its a theater production put on to film.Compulsion is two stories that unravel and then combine to become one as you really only get the second story after being fully immersed in the fervor and passion of Amy (Heather Graham). Heather Graham appears to have added more a little Nigella Lawson (Youtube her) to her depiction of a voluptuous gastronome desperately seeking acknowledgement and love.So too does the other leading character Saffron bring a fine set of hang ups and issues played by Carrie Anne Moss.Both lead actresses set the movie apart from ennui with excellent portrayals of their characters and through their selling of the story. They also looks fantastic (which can't be bad!).If you take the movie for the play that it is, rather than the blockbuster you might be hoping for, then you should get on fine.