However, the execution between Catherine
Hardwicke’s direction and the incredibly realistic acting makes Thirteen one of the
most involving films of the year.
Thirteen starts off on a questionable
note, but soon thereafter
transitions into a thought provoking and
eye-opening experience. Theoretically, the
film simply surrounds the main character
turning rebellious in her actions, but the
film has a feverish sensation that makes
it hard to look away from the screen.
The acting between Evan Rachel Wood and
Holly Hunter is electrifying, turning a
relatively cliché premise into a profound
picture, and Hardwicke’s decision of
keeping most scenes devoid of a musical
score assists in the film’s powerful
impact.
Many films of this nature would probably
debut on cable television, and would
probably rely on sappy music to
relay its messages. Thirteen goes the
opposite way in its intentions, creating
its mood through the viewer’s personal
emotions, as a musical score would
probably never reach the audience’s
precise feelings.
Thirteen is essentially every mother’s
worst nightmare during their daughter’s
middle school or even high school social
life; and after seeing the central
character go through the nightmare, we
ourselves feel like the mother, wanting it
all to end. By the end of the film, we
feel as emotionally distressed as the
primary characters, having just gone on a
rollercoaster ourselves.
4.
Swimming Pool
Like many art films, Swimming Pool
didn’t make a huge splash in its limited
run, but that isn’t a big surprise given
the film’s rather different and expired
filmmaking motif. This is a type of film
that studios don’t often make anymore, as
it requires the viewer to think and leads
the audience on a mystery that only slowly
unfolds, which is an ingredient that not a
lot of people often prefer.
Most thrillers today have an
in-your-face attitude in their attempt to
entertain/divert their audience, and use
rather expected techniques to retrieve
thrills or surprises from the viewer.
Swimming Pool is the exact opposite: it is
very quiet, and its pace will try the
patience of those who need to be easily
entertained. But for those who really
admire a mystery where the story’s details
are brought about in a teasing fashion,
little by little, the experience is one to
cherish.
Swimming Pool is incredibly anonymous
in its intentions; it is challenging to
see where the story is going, and the film
had me in tight grips the entire time. The
picture is composed of captivating moments
of silence where the cinematography makes
one’s imagination go wild trying to put
the pieces together, all while we watch
our main protagonist interact with her
quiet atmosphere as she tries to get
comfortable in an awkward scenario.
The ending to Swimming Pool did
disappoint me on a slight level, but I
could not deny the impression that the
film had on me while I tried to unlock its
secrets. I was glued to the screen, loving
the use of cinematography and silence, and
was taken in by its quiet, seductive
soundtrack and terrific acting. While I am
not sure how many times I’d be able to
watch it again, Swimming Pool is one of
the most unique and original films of
2003. And because there are few pictures
like it that accomplish this level of
filmmaking, I’m given no choice but to
reward the film as such.
Top 3 Films >>
