When FBI agents Elizabeth Anderson (Julia Ormond) and Sam Hallaway (Bill Pullman) arrive at a local police station to investigate a series of gruesome murders, there are three witnesses with three different stories of the ... more »roadside rampage. However, as the agents begin to expose the fragile little details each witness conceals so carefully with a well practiced lie, they soon discover that uncovering the truth can come at a very big cost.« less
"Some of the previous reviewers are either psychic(s) in terms of their uncanny ability to scope out the plot twists so far ahead of time, or truly veteran film goers of mysteries.....I was able to discern the major plot twist slightly ahead of the actual revelation, and was very satisfied with the way the writer and director decided to unfold their narrative and cinematic processes.....very intelligently done!! i found the dialogue appropriate for each character, and yes, while one must suspend belief as relates to the characters of the rural cops(borders on stereotype), that's okay because no one promised me character development in depth.
This film held my attention all the way through; i found the acting very good (Pullman and Ormond totally believable as FBI agents), and the twist quite satisfying. Overall, quite an entertaining film, good performances, believable, and i might want to see it again to pick up little clues/cues i missed the first time around. As a rental, you can't go wrong."
Solid movie
B. Larson | 08/09/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I thought this movie was delivered great. The way it was shot was really gritty and made me think of the end of Se7en and also the cover of latest Slipknot album (I know, really random).
The acting was solid and as usual Pullman played a quirky dude (prob signed on because of David) really well. There were parts where the dialog was a bit awkward and the story stalled but lets be honest, the director is the daughter of David Lynch...you cannot say there have not been slow/awkward scenes in Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, etc.
I thought the twist was great and the ending was fantastic. Not a 5, but definitely something I will recommend to fans of movies like Se7en, 12 Monkeys, Fight Club, etc. Beautifully dirty movies.
"
Deliciously demented
Michael P. Dempsey | Panama city beach | 08/19/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I think a lot of the reviewers missed the point with this film.I believe the director(David Lynch's daughter)simply intended to make a fun,twisted flick with a surprise twist to the end.You may or may not see it coming,but,I don't think you'll get it exactly.I wasn't expecting much,was thoroughly engaged until the end.What more could you ask for?"
Not a solid Blu, but definitely a Lynch film
Steve Kuehl | Ben Lomond, CA | 08/13/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"What a wicked film this turned out to be. Was not prepared for the level of depravity, and I think that is partially responsible for the hate directed at this film. I could not give this a higher rating on the product review end because I was just not that impressed with the Blu results.
A plot description beyond the poorly written version of events on the cover typically gives too much away, as noted on several other reviews here (as bad as it sounds try not to read most of the other reviews here as they keep giving the twist away - which once the film is done, the twist is the only worthwhile plot device). The performances are good, especially in the final 18 minutes of carnage and Natural Born Killer references, and when the credits roll, you will probably find yourself either aligning with the half that hated everything about it, or the other half that felt Lynch's daughter is definitely following the train to left field (therefore loving it).
The picture clarity is a mixed bag as the majority of flashback sequences are done with a heavy grain and an over saturation. The colors are overexposed during those times also, insofar that the Blu display isn't exactly given a fair shake. The DTS is sporadically excellent, but there was some obvious mixing problems during the police station sequences (reference the hall echoes and interrogations). The supplements are short but include:
* 15 minute making-of that covers the production in a Lynch kind of way (complete with her dropping the F bomb 30 or so times as she directs to make her point). If anything, the obvious humor the crew had with the Canadian town name - Regina - was fun to watch (they kept repeating "the town that rhymes with the word for fun").
* 5 Minute HDNET clip, essentially a long trailer.
* 12 minutes of deleted scenes; they prove the gratuitous and over-the-top nature Lynch was working towards - as yes, these include the now famous cuts of Ormond and Pullman smothering themselves in lard and love - for a very lengthy time. The alternate ending is very different than what one sees in the main cut; much more Romeo and Juliet.
Sitting on the fence on whether to recommend it outright or not, so I would have to say it might be worth spending your BD budget on this one if you are a big fan of Lynch; and without giving too much away, wanting to see Pullman and Ormond do something very different. 3 for the film, 1 for the extras, enjoy."
Surprising and memorable
J. D. Best, author | Arizona | 09/08/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Surveillance is one of those movie's that lingers with you. Watch it one evening, and you wake up in the morning thinking about it. But it's not for the squeamish. This is a tense, broody, and violent thriller with a surprise ending.
The movie reminds me of Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (15th Anniversary) in both horrific violence and the use of flashbacks to gradually reveal the story. Not for everyone, but if you enjoy stylistic and shocking filmmaking, you'll probably enjoy Surveillance.