It's Hitchcock for the Moron Generation. While not an admitted remake of Rear Window, this film certainly borrows liberally from the classic thriller. Shia LaBeouf (Transformers) plays Kale, a depressed wealthy suburban kid who is under house arrest after he punches his Spanish teacher. Kale, bored out of his mind, begins to live vicariously through his neighbors by spying on them from his bedroom window. He makes two discoveries of note with his spying, the new stock hot chick next door Ashley (Sarah Roemer - a poor man's Jessica Biel) and the creepy Mr. Turner (David Morse) who just so happens to be a murderer.

The plot is derivative of a classic and screenwriters Christopher B. Landon (Blood & Chocolate) and Carl Ellsworth (Red Eye) have to shuffle so many elements around to make this story plausable that the whole piece feels slapped together. None of the characters are likable or have any real depth. The tension of the film exhausts itself early on and we're left with a predictable movie without any real point. When the final climax finally rolls around, what should be the grandest moment of the film is little more than a disappointing and confused whimper. All of this wasted effort and the film also displays one of the more grating performances in years. Aaron Yoo (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) is galling in a supporting role as Kale's buddy. Yoo squeals and nancies around in what appears to be an attempt to be humorous and zany. This guy is annoying - very annoying - we're talking going on a road trip in a Ford Festiva with Tom Green, Rip Taylor and Rosie O'Donnell annoying. He offers one of those performances that is so uniquely irritating that he should be forced to give back his paycheck, make a public apology and then be forced to clean the backyards of everyone who's seen the movie.

On the positive side, this film does sport a brilliant car crash early on. The accident is handled wonderfully and sets up some strong expectations for the rest of the film. LaBeouf easily handles his role and excels during the few moments he's allowed put himself behind his work. For the most part he's sleepwalking through the movie obviously stuck in a role and production well below his talents.


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The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
I, Robot (2004)


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Film School Rejects
Cinematical

Labels: Carrie-Anne Moss, David Morse, film, movie review, Sarah Roemer, Shia LaBeouf