Surveillance

Objective Rating (How much merit I think it deserves):
6/10
Subjective Rating (How much I personally like it):
7/10

Year released: 2008
Runtime: 97 minutes
IMDB page: here

Grueling, explosive at the end. A typical serial killer movie, but there is nothing typical about it. It's very different, hard to describe. Largely to do with the strange pacing of the movie.

Plot: Two FBI agents come to a small-town police station to investigate a series of bloody highway murders. The police station is very disorganized, manned by several unprofessional (and a few corrupt, mean-spirited) officers. The agents try to piece together the story from different perspectives of the people involved, including a little girl, a female drug addict in her 20s, and a police officer whose partner was killed in the incident.

Script: Okay, a tiny bit impossible, because that little police station is just too perfect a place for the things in the movie to happen. But that might be the only flaw. The pace is ... strange. It can be described as slow at places, but even those places are filled with violent/bloody flashbacks. (Violent and bloody are quite different and should not be used interchangeably.) When those flashbacks build into a stunningly abrupt conclusion and the answer is suddenly revealed in your face, you are quite shocked and can't be sure of yourself for a few moments.

Cast: I was personally unfamiliar with either of the two leads (Julia Ormond and Bill Pullman) who play the FBI agents. They demonstrate a shocking transformation and multiple facets as the movie goes on. The string of incompetent police officers also has the right touch that irritates you without completely alienating you. They are just doofuses and jerks who happen to be police officers, nothing personal. The little girl played by Ryan Simpkins (who IS a girl, ignore the name) is vulnerable but observant, smart without losing her credibility as a little girl.

Production: Directed by Jennifer Lynch, David Lynch's daughter. Has a very raw feel to it. Set design seems rather primitive (like they just found a place and made do with it), since the movie mostly revolves around the police station and the open high way. With that said, what they did with what they had is very respectable.

I personally liked it more than I expected. I really thought I would have a hard time getting into it, but after the first few minutes, I'm in. Not recommended for anyone who hates: blood, suspense, sudden mind twisters.