dinsdag 22 december 2015

Deep Dark (2015)

Summary :
Hermann, a failed sculptor, is about to kill himself when he finds a strange, talking hole in the wall. The creature in the hole has the power to fulfill his wildest dreams, but things go horribly wrong and when the killing starts, Hermann is thrust into the worst nightmare of his life. Deep Dark is a twisted tale warning you to be careful what you wish for, because it just might get you

Genre : Horror/Fantasy
Country : USA

Cast :
Denis Poirier : The Hole
Sean McGrath : Hermann Haig
Anne Sorce : Devora Klein

Director : Michael Medaglia

My opinion

I get lonely here all by myself.
How about I help you make mobiles, and in return, all you have to do is spend time with me?
That's it?
That's it. Partners?
Uh, yeah, yeah, partners. If you had a hand, I'd shake it.

There are movies that go beyond your understanding. You're left behind with a "what-the-hell-was-this" feeling. Films which are sinister, totally crazy and utterly surrealistic. Movies that'll make you say : "This can never be outperformed in terms of bizarreness". And then there's "Deep Dark". Too bizarre for words. Surreal and unreal at the same time. An ancient concept is used again though. It's another case study about an individual who pursues a specific goal and tries to achieve this at any cost. A kind of "3 wishes" principle with the additional nasty boomerang effect. It returns and hits you straight in the face.

Hermann Haig (Sean McGrath) is an artist who attempts to create modern and contemporary art. However, this doesn't work very well and people aren't that enthusiastic about his creations (mobiles with all sorts of recycled waste hanging on it). Nevertheless, he believes he has the talent and thinks there's something subtle missing to make real crowd pullers of his artwork. In desperation he asks his uncle for advice. Promptly this fellow rents out an apartment to Hermann. In that way he can find inspiration while being isolated from the outside world. A kind of a retreat so he'd be able to bring out that deep-rooted talent. Unfortunately, that deeply rooted talent remains right there where it was all along. And this to the dismay and despair of Hermann. When he's about to call it quits, Hermann discovers a hole in the wall. And to his surprise, something starts to communicate with him. First by means of a wire with a note attached to it. Afterwards the hole in the wall starts to speak to Hermann with a sensual female voice. And gradually this phenomenon helps him with his art.

It's rather difficult to link this film to a particular genre. You can't call it horror. But the opening scene might be shocking or disturbing to some. And the denouement has a surprise or two in store. But it really isn't scary or frightening at all. It seemed to have a direct line to my funny bone. Although it's certainly not comedy. Or you think that malicious pleasure is something humorous. It's also not fantasy. Just like in "Her" there's an invisible entity that talks to the protagonist with a sensual voice, only it's no software. And this time there's something physical to discern. That mysterious hole. A hole that hides a personality that yearns for attention and intimacy. And yes, you can expect the unexpected. Can you say there's some perverse humor in it? Yep indeed. I could label it as real estate porn.

You'll definitely have many unanswered questions afterwards. Where does the phenomenon come from? Was Hermann his uncle successful because of this? And what the hell are those slimy objects Hermann uses in his art? To be honest, the mobiles he creates afterwards, still look like garbage and worthless. However, the effect it has on spectators is pretty drastic. The only downside is the rather slow buildup. But otherwise this is a bizarre and strange film that I watched in amazement. Do you love something so macabre and crazy, with someone slowly sliding into something completely insane, than this is the perfect movie for you. However, I'm sure I'll be looking at a hole in the wall in a complete different way. I never thought a stupid hole in the wall could turn me on.