Hard Candy (Year)

Plot of Hard Candy

Starting out with a seemingly innocent meeting between two people who met in an Internet chat room (well, as innocent as a meeting between 14-year-old Hayley and 32-year-old Jeff who met on the Internet can be) this movie turns into an intense session of rough justice for a professional photographer who is also a pedophile. Hayley (Ellen Page) lures Jeff (Patrick Wilson) back to his house and proceeds to seek vengeance for every little girl that has been molested by Jeff.

Review of Hard Candy

An extremely psychological drama/thriller directed by David Slade and written by Brian Nelson, Hard Candy had me sitting on the edge of my seat and actually rooting for the pedophile! Patrick Wilson plays the part of Jeff so well that at times you forget that he is the bad guy. It also helps that no graphic evidence of the crimes he has committed is actually shown to the audience. Sure, Hayley finds the evidence but it is never shoved into your face. Ellen Page was phenomenal in this. Watch out for this girl, she is going to go places. Page is confident and believes that she is doing what’s right and yet there are moments when her youth shows through in a nervous look when Jeff can’t see her. But boy, her convictions are strong. She has planned every little detail out and almost everything goes according to plan.

While not being a very graphic film, Hard Candy can be just as disturbing as scenes from any horror film. To have such a small cast, a total of five people, and still have such an edgy, tense and emotionally draining ride is a testament to the skill of everybody involved. My only complaint is this trend of using the “shaky cam” during action sequences. It seems unnecessary and over used in films lately. Granted, that’s my opinion but it is my review isn’t it?

Watch this film.  It may be rough at times, but it portrays a disease of the mind in a way that is slightly more palatable, without candy-coating what a vile and horrible thing pedophilia is.

Hoping that Hayley doesn’t have a reason to find your house,

Mitch Emerson

Best Lines:

Hayley Stark: Well, 4 out of 5 doctors agree that I am actually insane.

Hayley Stark: I guess they... weren't brass.

Hayley Stark: Jeff, playtime’s over. It’s time to wake up.

The Cast

Director

Producer

Rating

Length

Production Co.

Year

Awards

Related Links

Click Above to Purchase Hard Candy

This review was written by Mitch E. Copyright 2007, All Rights Reserved.