DVD: Hide and Seek 6/10
Director: John Polson
Starring: Robert De Niro, Dakota Fanning, Famke Janssen
Plot: a widower moves to an isolated lakehouse in order to recover from his wife’s suicide accompanied by his young daughter who begins to confide in her imaginary friend, Charlie.
Hide and Seek is an almost perfect thriller. Directed by television director John Polson, who has written episodes of Flash Forward, Body of Proof, Fringe and Without A Trace; certainly presents a mixed bag of horror and thriller here. Polson always focuses on his characters in his directing and puts the action second. The most captivating part of “Hide and Seek” is that its characters become so familiar so quickly that I found myself having a care for them whilst knowing something was going to happen sooner or later. Robert De Niro is fantastic in his role and without giving too much away, he is perfect at playing the depressed, lost father at the beginning who slowly becomes aware of his daughter’s obsession with her friend, Charlie, by the end. What I also love about the film is the music, it’s never too cliché and plays just at the right moments. Polson is perfect in knowing when his audience understands what’s about to unfold, letting the music flow with what’s on screen just at the right time. Dakota (who plays the daughter) has never been better – her take on other films has been very lacklustre and average, however, here she really comes out of her shell and shows how well her acting abilities are, even at the age she is.
Director: John Polson
Starring: Robert De Niro, Dakota Fanning, Famke Janssen
Plot: a widower moves to an isolated lakehouse in order to recover from his wife’s suicide accompanied by his young daughter who begins to confide in her imaginary friend, Charlie.
Hide and Seek is an almost perfect thriller. Directed by television director John Polson, who has written episodes of Flash Forward, Body of Proof, Fringe and Without A Trace; certainly presents a mixed bag of horror and thriller here. Polson always focuses on his characters in his directing and puts the action second. The most captivating part of “Hide and Seek” is that its characters become so familiar so quickly that I found myself having a care for them whilst knowing something was going to happen sooner or later. Robert De Niro is fantastic in his role and without giving too much away, he is perfect at playing the depressed, lost father at the beginning who slowly becomes aware of his daughter’s obsession with her friend, Charlie, by the end. What I also love about the film is the music, it’s never too cliché and plays just at the right moments. Polson is perfect in knowing when his audience understands what’s about to unfold, letting the music flow with what’s on screen just at the right time. Dakota (who plays the daughter) has never been better – her take on other films has been very lacklustre and average, however, here she really comes out of her shell and shows how well her acting abilities are, even at the age she is.
The only part of the film I wasn’t too keen on was the
ending. It was too similar to a favourite of mine, “Secret Window” which was
released a year before this film and it seems that it’s a little samey and
doesn’t suit the film very well as a rounded-off conclusion. The rest of the
film however I enjoyed thoroughly and would definitely recommend it, especially
if you’re into ghost stories (such as The Others).
In conclusion: “Hide and Seek” is a real good thriller. The film’s a first person account of David (De Niro), allowing his emotional and physical battle to be detailed throughout and Dakota Fanning’s acting is simply brilliant, she holds up her scenes perfectly and despite the ending, it’s still hugely enjoyable - though not for the faint hearted (you won’t be taking a bath in a hurry!)
In conclusion: “Hide and Seek” is a real good thriller. The film’s a first person account of David (De Niro), allowing his emotional and physical battle to be detailed throughout and Dakota Fanning’s acting is simply brilliant, she holds up her scenes perfectly and despite the ending, it’s still hugely enjoyable - though not for the faint hearted (you won’t be taking a bath in a hurry!)
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