I was motivated to see this film after seeing The Social Network. I realized the Panic Room was the only film in the Fincher cannon that I hadn't seen and one of the few that I didn't own on DVD. Now I see why I skipped it.
This film is about Jodie Foster's character (Meg) buying a new house in NY. The house comes complete with a "panic room". That is to say a room that is 100% secure in case of home invaders. Moving in with her is her diabetic, early teenage, smart mouthed daughter played by Kristen Stewart. Hummm, a room safe from intruders, what could possibly happen? You guessed it. Someone breaks in. And not just anyone. It is a 3 man job. Jared Leto was "The brains" (who of course ends up being really stupid), Forest Whitaker played "the inside man" who worked for the panic room installation company and who is in desperate need of money, and Dwight Yochum as "the wild card" the crazy guy hat you never know what he is going to do. That is this films biggest flaw. You have an impenetrable fortress, and a bunch of bumbling robbers. It seemed implausible. Then to see these idiots actually make headway in there progress of getting into the room and all the design flaws of the room destroyed any creditability the film might have had.
I feel like giving Jodie Foster a shoulder rub cause she carried this movie on her back. The trio of would-be criminals were the most bumbling, non-believable crooks I can remember. At least for a group of guys that I was supposed to be fearful of. Forrest Whitacre plays the compassionate, rational one. Unfortunately his lines land with a thud. I don't blame him mostly. The script is poor top to bottom and he is not helped out much by his accomplices including Dwight Yochum (who I thought was fantastic in Sling Blade). Kristen Stewart seemed really stiff and annoying as the snotty kid. A typecast that she hasn't really grown out of yet. I'd like to thank Panic Room for reminding me why I hate Jared Leto. He is terrible in this. I have never seen him give a performance I enjoyed.
You know it's a rough movie when Fincher can't pull it out of the gutter. Although he tries. He took the CGI visuals and the extended tracking shots that were used so well in a movie like Fight Club and hit us over the face with them. Maybe this movie was the ground work for Benjamin Button. A movie I still contest to be better than most gave it credit for.
I think one of the problems was that Fincher used all these bells and whistles when the script didn't call for it. This year I have seen Buried and 127 Hours. Both films are about tight situations and how a person copes with that. There is an immediacy to that. By adding all the visual stunts, it constantly kept me at arms reach. This movie could have been about the paranoia of individuality and staking out on your own. Instead it was a silly romp and quasi-thriller content to pacify it's audience instead of challenge them.
I would love to see a $500,000 version of this film made by some film student. Someone without the resources Fincher has. I think the same creative malaise that has ruined Tim Burtons movies as of late caught up with Fincher. With all that being said it might be a surprise to announce that I didn't hate the movie. And compared to a lot of other "thrillers" out there Panic Room managed to entertain. It is frustrating to see a film like this and know what it could have been. But I do not judge based on the "what ifs". I judge based on what was presented. Therefore Panic Room gets a 2.5/5 stars. Slightly below average but not unwatchable. Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.
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