Saw

How much blood would you shed to stay alive?

Saturday I went to see “Saw” at the megaplex. The first word that comes to mind…Twisted! I loved it. Saw is a fantastic thriller with violence and a little bit of gore, starring Leigh Whannell (co-writer of the script for this movie, and only the second time on screen as an actor), Cary Elwes (of “Princess Bride” fame), and Danny Glover. Directed by newcomer (and co-script writer) James Wan.

Very comparable to “7” or “Silence of the Lambs” as a thriller/horror movie which disturbs audience members on a couple of levels. A young man named Adam (Whannell) wakes to find himself chained to a rusty pipe inside a decrepit industrial bathroom. Chained to the opposite side of the room is another bewildered captive, Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Elwes). Between them is a dead man lying in a pool of blood, holding a .38 in one hand and a cassette recorder in the other. Neither man knows why he has been abducted; but there are instructions left on a micro cassette for each of them. All the good doctor has to do in order to survive, he's told, is figure out a way to kill Adam by 6 p.m.--a deadline seven and a half hours away. If he fails, his wife and daughter will be shot then both men will die.

Recalling a recent murder investigation by a police detective named Tapp (Glover), Dr. Gordon realizes he and Adam are the next victims of a psychopathic genius known only as "Jigsaw." With only a few hours left to spare, they must unravel the elaborate puzzle of their fate in the midst of mounting terror. The killer has provided them with only a few clues and two handsaws - too weak to break their steel shackles, but strong enough to cut through flesh and bone.

I have already read a lot of negative reviews spotting Elwes sub-par performance, but I disagree. It think he was excellent opposite a virtual no-name carrying the plot believably along. Danny Glover was also spectacular as the obsessive detective bent on capturing the “Jigsaw” killer. Perhaps what happens is that some movie fans (and horror fans especially) go in with expectations that are set way too high. Keep in mind that this is a new film by a new director and enjoy what was produced for your nightmarish pleasure.

The creepy music (done by Charlie Clouser) is a great accompaniment to the lighting effects and well-shot scenes. There must be mention of the grotesque clown-like doll that “Jigsaw” uses to instruct victims, very creepy and just evil looking enough to fit nicely into this film. Don’t listen to too many reviews (which range from A+ to C-) just go and see the movie on the big screen and let James Wan take you to a twisted place that’ll make your mind race!

• Today's Cure song is Apart from the Wish CD-(1990) As slow sad song about a relationship at the edges of discontent. If you have ever had your heart broken and wanted to softly sob, this song is what it might sound like.

"How did we get this far apart?
We used to be so close together
How did we get this far apart?
I thought this love would last forever"

CJ