Directed by James Mangold (Kate and Leopold, Girl Interrupted, Cop Land)
Starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Ray Liotta
Rated R for strong violence and language
It got me. I never predicted it. I haven’t been stumped like this since the Usual Suspects.
I sat down to watch this film the way I'd like to start any film . . . knowing nothing about it. Immediately I was sucked in . . . (in my best Jim Carrey voice) yeah, like a tractor beam!
Stranded at a desolate Nevada motel during a nasty rainstorm, ten strangers become acquainted with each other when they realize that they’re being killed off one by one.
Yes, great performances. Yes, a script like a Christie novel. Yes, twists that kept me guessing to the very end (my brother says he guessed the ending, but he watched the extended edition first- WATCH THE THEATRE RELEASE FIRST!).
This film is one of the better films I've seen in quite a while. Amanda Peet even keeps her clothes on! (Wow, someone actually relied on her acting ability over her body . . . it can be done!)
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT:
Nope. Way too intense and very violent.
Side Note:
As said above, we don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
