Some good films you miss for one reason or another. Thankfully, I picked up the DVD, not knowing what to expect. This is a sensational piece of filmmaking. I speak as one who has spent his life in the business. First Colin Farrell's performance is career defining. His range is huge. He has superstar written all over him. Second, Kiefer Sutherland, the voice on the phone gives a vocal performance reminescent of Orson Wells during Radio's Golden Era (if you've ever heard Lucille Fletcher's "The Hitchiker" you know what I mean). The direction was a combination of MTV and the best of Oliver Stone. It rivets your attention for the relatively short 81 minutes of the film. The only other actor I can imagine in this film with the range necessary is Al Pacino, and I'm afraid he's a little long in the tooth. 99% of what gets on the screen is formula. This was about making a film in ten days on one set. The director's challenge, same as in "12 Angry Men", how do you keep the pacing up on a one set shoot. It's all about cutting, and one fantastic tracking shot that begins the film. This was the work of pros. I'm a pro and I should know. I give it a 10/10. If you haven't seen it, run, do not walk to your local rental store or buy it, which I'm going to do. I'll put it next to "Any Given Sunday" another filmmaker's masterpiece and "Dog Day Afternoon". This is what our industry should be turning out instead the "The Incredible Bulk"
Review of Phone Booth
