Hard Candy (2006, DVD)

Without spoiling the movie, the plot, and the ending, Hard Candy is a film that is definitely worth checking out that is both entertaining and thought provoking. Hard Candy is really two films. The first 20 or 30 minutes is a thought provoking look at online predators and their habits towards underage children. This controversial, and often taboo, topic is shown in practice. The profiling and execution of Patrick Wilson as online child predator Jeff Kohlver is eerily done, and brings to light the habits of these individuals. His target, Ellen Page as Hayley Stark, is 14 year-old girl who agrees to meet this thirty-something at a coffee shop. From here, the plot goes in directions unsuspecting of the viewer. Knowing nothing about the film, you question the motive of the writer, and what the film is trying to accomplish, though at the end of 20-30 minutes, the film takes a turn towards suspense, and the purpose and motivation for the movie gives the viewer an idea about what the writer is trying to say.

Inspired by events in China of young school girls ambushing online sexual predators when they meet in public, this movie is an acquired taste. A viewer may think that acting is sub-par in the first 15-minutes of the movie, though you realize it is part of the plot as the intensity and skills of these individuals are shown as the film progresses. Movie reviewers either applaud or pick apart this unique film. The direction, angles, and use of colors was well done, and the characters personalities, thoughts, and feelings are laid out through visuals and dialogue that are lost in many big blockbusters.

Overall, this movie is worth watching (and I rarely publicly review movies). Pick it up on ebay for cheap or rent it. I was not disappointed, and I hope you are not either.

I don't know what to think after watching this film. I waited to write this review so it could seep in for a few weeks, and I am still shocked. It definitely wasn't what I expected. The movie deals with a young girl who turns the tables on a sexual predator after pretending to want to hook up with him. The majority of the movie takes place inside of a house, and what I will say about the actual film is that is was shot nicely and the acting was very impressive, especially from unknown actors. The story line had mega potential, though I found myself literally screaming at the screen in certain parts. I found the film to be just as real as it is unreal. It left me with a lot of confused thoughts at the end, and a part of me feels that it could have been better, but a part of me feels that it was done perfectly.

I had trouble trying to figure out if the girl at the end was an ex-girlfriend or someone else close to Jeff. I am still a little unsure if I really liked this movie, though I can say that I have no need to watch it a second time, and I found myself actually rooting for each of the characters at certain points. The things the girl does creates enough tension that you feel sorry for Jeff, even though he is a sexual predator. All you can do is watch it and see what you think, though consider yourself warned: this is graphic and violent, definitely not for the faint hearted or for kids, not a family film. Don't sit down with your dinner and your sweetie expecting to watch a nice, funny movie. This is hard core, in your face revenge, and it takes some wicked twists and turns.

UPDATE: Ellen Page, the girl in the movie, went on to play the title character in the film "Juno." This is also an excellent movie, and I recommend checking it out. Just wanted to point out the scope of roles this young actress is capable of taking on, she will be someone to keep up with as her filmography grows.