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Panic Room review
:. Director: David Fincher
:. Starring: Jodie Foster, Forest Whitaker
:. Running Time: 1:50
:. Year: 2002
:. Country: USA
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Fincher's direction has certainly some bravura moments such as the long sequence that introduces the break-in, a breathtaking exit of the panic room in search of a cellular phone and some imposing opening credits—a Fincher trademark. Unfortunately, he never manages to create a suffocating atmosphere and the ensemble looks like a too predictable academic take on Hitchcock. While Se7en successfully got under our skin and Fight Club played us, the Panic Room never reaches its goal. The film never comes close to being as scary as being locked in a movie theater for a Leo Carax festival. The panic is never able to leave the screen and hit the audience. Mostly the picture plays on cheap thrills and clichés that leave you with a sense of déjà-vu.
The cast is not homogenous. Jody Foster is credible, having the toughness and coldness necessary for the role. Forest Whitaker's presence is felt but his talent is underused in one of these usual "big bear" roles. More problematic is the two other thirds of the "three amigos". Jared Leto, whose performance was so remarkable in Requiem for a Dream, is unbearable here with his imitation of Lakers guard Rick Fox on speed. As for Dwight Yoakam, whose natural looks are as scary as Scooby Doo's, aren't there enough unemployed actors around and wasn't his lame pretentious western enough of a warning about his movie talents?
Only those who had great expectations from this talented director's new work will be able to experience the panic room, in this case the theater they're in.
Fred Thom
 Movie Reviews: American Films
Reviews 2012 - present
Reviews 1998 - 2012
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