Lindsay Lohan, Julia Ormond, Neal McDonough, Brian Geraghty. Psychological thriller. Written by Jeffrey Hammond. Directed by Chris Sivertson.
FILM SYNOPSIS: An idyllic small town is rocked when Aubrey Fleming (Lohan), a bright and promising young woman, is abducted and tortured by a sadistic serial killer. When she manages to escape, the traumatized girl, who regains consciousness in the hospital, insists that she is not who they think she is and that the real Aubrey Fleming is still in mortal danger. PREVIEW REVIEW: Of all the pop tarts manufactured in Hollywoodland, Lindsay Lohan is the one with real potential. She has timing, charisma and shows signs of depth. But to become a great actor, one needs to focus. In this era starlets are allowed the opportunity of skipping the dedication and training needed to move past lightweight screen persona and into a full understanding of their craft. In other words, Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda and Katherine Hepburn didn’t become legendary by squandering their gifts. They nurtured and developed them. All that to say, Ms. Lohan’s new film, I Know Who Killed Me, offers her a chance to grow, to show a fully developed characterization. Alas, the actress is not yet up to the challenge. Though I’m sure she’s a tortured soul, the performance is only skin deep. As for the film, it’s hopefully the last in a recent line of movies labeled torture-porn: films that show excessive brutality for no other apparent reason than to fill a void for off-duty psychopaths. (I will be graphic in the content section to drive the point home of just how vile this movie is. And, for the record, people left in droves as the slicing and dicing began, with even more leaving as the flashbacks became even more graphic. Had I not been obligated to see this film as part of my job, I would have joined them.) It has a few moments of interesting psychological drama, but all that falls apart by film’s end. This should give you an idea of just how moronic the ending is, and just how stupid the filmmakers think we are. After being chased through a dark house (nobody ever turns on the lights in these movies), our heroine manages to cut off her attacker’s hand (by sawing it off). But a scene later, she is seen bound tightly to a chair with rope. (Somehow, the villain got the upper hand – sorry, I couldn’t resist). I’m sitting there, watching Lindsay struggle with sailor knots and thinking, how did the nutcase with only one hand tie her up? Even if it’s possible, do you really want to tie someone up when your other hand has just been sawed off? I have a hard time watching a film like this, because on the nightly news we learn of young women being kidnapped, brutalized, tortured and the rest. I don’t like hearing that on the news, so why would I want to be entertained by such depictions? Of course, there are people who enjoy the visualization of agonizing torment inflicted upon a human being – especially if it’s happening to a pretty girl. Isn’t it nice to know that Hollywood makes movies for everyone? Video Alternatives: Alan & Naomi. A young girl witnessed her beloved father’s execution by the Nazis. Vanessa Zaoni and Lukas Haas give solid performances as the traumatized girl and the sensitive teen who helps come out of her shell. Not yet on DVD, but keep your eyes open for this one. Or: Anne Frank Remembered. This poignant documentary works on several levels: a true-life coming of age; the insight of a wise young girl; the human capacity to survive and look out for fellow human beings. Filled with many intuitive moments, the film reminds us that soon no one will be here to tell the personal events associated with that horrific time. Or: Down In The Delta (1998). A Christian mother sends her substance-abusing daughter to relatives down South. There, she learns about responsibility and the importance of family. Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman, Jr., Wesley Snipes, Loretta Devine.
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