Movie Review: Drop

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A well-made old-fashioned thriller. 

This movie has to walk a very fine line. It can't take itself too seriously or the logical problems with the plot will take you out of the film. Yet it must take itself seriously enough to create a real sense of tension. While there are a few times it will fall into one trap or another for the most part the film walks this fine line very well. Along with this it understands one of the most important assets to a suspense movie. This film completely puts us in the shoes of our main character. We see everything strictly through her eyes. We have no information about what is happening that she doesn't, and we learn about what is going on at the same time she does. This feeling of connection with this character is enhanced by the fact that she is rarely off screen. The only few times the camera leaves her; we still only see things that she knows are happening. Because we find ourselves in this character's shoes it is easy to be caught up in the suspense. We feel every bit of discomfort that she does and sped much of the movie trying to figure out what we would do. This is also enhanced by a wonderful performance from Meghann Fahy, who feels completely natural in one of her first leading roles. All this leads to a fast-paced film that is fun to watch from start to finish. Like an old-fashioned thriller there is not much action for the first two acts, which are instead spent building up tension. This works very well as when the action scenes towards the end happen, there is a real sense of tension and excitement to them, even if the action scenes themselves may be very standard.  

Some reviewers have referred to this movie as "Hitchcockian." This is one of the most misused words in modern film criticism. Many of the movies called this are often too somber and self-serious to feel anything like Hitchcock. Though this movie may not reach the cinematic heights of Hitch's best work, it does resemble the master of suspense's work in the way that the filmmakers enjoy playing with the audience and having fun with the ways the relieve and create tension. This makes this movie much more worthy of the adjective than many films that receive it. It also leads to a really fun time at the movies and a good film to watch with an audience.

This may not be a perfect movie but it sure as heck makes for a fun trip to the cinema.