DVD Proxy
Run time: 120 min
Rating: 5.5
Genres: Drama | Horror | Thriller
Director: Zack Parker
Writers: Kevin Donner, Zack Parker
Stars: Joe Swanberg, Alexa Havins, Kristina Klebe
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Storyline While walking home from her latest OB appointment, a very pregnant Esther Woodhouse is brutally attacked and disfigured by a hooded assailant. This horrible event seems to be a blessing in disguise when Esther finds consolation in a support group. Her life of sadness and solitude is opened up to friendship, understanding, and even acceptance. However, friendship and understanding can be very dangerous things when accepted by the wrong people. Written by Anonymous |
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Details: Country: USA Release Date: 18 April 2014 (USA) |
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Nothing is as it seems in this bizarre, Hitchcockian mystery thriller. Unfortunately, it doesn't all add up, either. Don't wait for an ending that wraps it all up–there isn't any, which it too bad for a film that is very well made and acted. The story starts with a bang, a brutal and senseless assault that occurs before the opening credits. And then it builds … slowly … ever so slowly–at a pace some may find atmospheric but others will consider tedious. As the story finally progresses, it gradually reveals that what seems to be going on isn't what's really going on, as each layer of the story hits yet another twist, leading to yet another layer. Who or what is this story about? Who's the protagonist? Who's the antagonist? It keeps the audience off balance. Somewhere in the middle was the mother of all continuity errors, where a character was wearing a bloody shirt inside the house, then a clean version of the same shirt outside the house, then the bloody version again when he went back into the house. Was the outside an extra scene that was shot later and then inserted into the film? Or was this inconsistency purposely part of the story to convey that what obviously is happening isn't really happening after all? Several things that character does never add up and are never explained. For a horror movie, there's little gore, most violence is implied or portrayed indirectly, and the blood is downright artistic. The focus is on the story. The film is very well made, it's just too bad that the story doesn't make more sense.
If you're looking for a movie that gives you that feeling like you're not sure what you have been apart of, then take a moment to view here. As you sit alone in the dark talking aloud to the TV, you'll be asking yourself questions like: It's a horror? Oh, is it mystery? Maybe it's a psycho killer type thing? Or is it just weird? The ending, It couldn't of ended any other way! I liked it.
The main character really pulled me into the story. She is alone and pregnant, we don't know why. An introvert loner who's sadness seems obvious for all to see. When the first shocking seen hits you, it hits you twice as hard as you know this will send her down some weird pit of crazy despair that only someone on the edge can feel.
Then as the next few scenes of the movie unfold, you can sense that something else is happening and That's when I sat up as I wasn't sure what is happening or what will happen next. As you know, there are way too many movies where you know what happens next!
You have to like unconventional movies or you won't enjoy this strange little trip into weirdness.
"Proxy" gets off to a really gruesome start a very pregnant Esther Woodhouse (Alexia Rasmussen) is knocked out in an alleyway and has her stomach beaten with a brick. Esther loses the baby, and afterward seems to lose her sanity or did she ever really have any to begin with?
I had the privilege of attending a midnight screening of "Proxy" at the Portland International Film Festival with the director in attendance. The film, as others have mentioned quite often, gets off to a really intriguing start. As Esther's character begins to unravel before our eyes, we begin to see that she's a bit more than a lonely pregnant woman. The same goes for Melanie (Alexa Havens), a friend whom she meets at a support group for women who have lost children.
What begins as a psychological horror character study on these two women shifts gears about halfway through the film, and in doing so loses some of the intrigue that permeated the first half (largely due to Alexia Rasumussen's stellar performance as the awkward and perhaps sociopathic Esther). It begins to delve into the territory of social satire on the nature of sympathy and publicity, which is appropriate to the film's build-up to that point, but also leaves the rest of it to play out somewhat awkwardly in comparison. References to Hitchcock are well-deserved, as the film does have a Hitchcockian bent to it, though it lacks the cohesion of his films and at times is somewhat choppy, and at others, incomprehensibly disjointed.
Overall, I had mixed feelings toward this film. I enjoyed the first half, but the shift the film makes midway through almost derails the entire thing. Beautifully shot no less, and the performances are truly great from relatively unknown actors. It's at times gruesome, mostly utterly mind boggling, but it's worth a watch, or maybe two. I feel like it demands a second viewing to try and tease out all of the intricacies at its core. 6/10.
This is an outstanding film, but it isn't for everyone.
It isn't a slasher-screamer-jump out of your seat flick. No no.
This film gained my shocked interest immediately, and to be frank it was held throughout the rest of the ride.
This is definitely not a film for anyone who has recently suffered a loss, in fact it should be viewed by the loss-experienced only when they have completely recovered and can look at anything. Preferably YEARS after they've fully recovered, because it will take you right back to the grimness of deep loss and the eternal question, why ?
For those who work in the field, or have seen others go through loss and grief, or have experienced counter-cultures on a personal basis, this film is an incredible insight into the workings of twisted minds, no matter be they rich, poor, in-between or socially minded misguideds who treat their clients like fodder.
Superbly acted, very well crafted and a sensible and life-like script and dialogue are to be rewarded with praise indeed.
Just be sure to be aware of your mental strength before you embark on a true roller-coaster ride that is definitely not by proxy….