WAZ

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Horrorphile - October 2008

WAZ

October 22nd 2008 04:33

The Price equation is a mathematical (algebra) description of evolution and natural selection. It is also what is being carved into the flesh of victims in this very dark, very grim, very despairing crime thriller which plays like an intense urban nightmare, a social disease feeding on itself.

Originally titled Devil’s Algebra, W DELTA Z (2007, or WAZ as it is most frequently called) is a nasty slap in the face. Director Tom Shankland and screenwriter Clive Bradley have made an intelligent and difficult movie with deep scars. If David Fincher had made one of the Saw movies, it would be like WAZ . Set in New York City, but with a European sensibility to the narrative, it is equally frustrating and satisfying.

Stellan Skarsgard as Eddie Argo

Homicide detective Eddie Argo (Stellan Skarsgård) is an embittered man. He’s investigating a series of grotesque murders with his new partner Helen Westcott (Melissa George) where the victims have been mutilated or electrocuted. The victims are street crims and junkies related either by blood or as lovers.

Melissa George as Helen Westcott

There is tension between Eddie and Helen. It is apparent Eddie has inner demons tormenting him, and has his own hidden agenda, whilst rookie Melissa is keen to impress, but also to play it straight. There is a cruel ruthless streak that carves its way through the city and Eddie and Melissa are inexorably drawn into the abyss of a serial killer who binds psychological torture and physical pain together in the most appalling way: forcing the victims to choose between killing a loved one or being killed.

WAZ is one of the most unconventional “American” movies I’ve seen. A British film financed with Irish money. While the exteriors were shot in NYC, the interiors (police station, apartments, and a dingy warehouse space) were shot in Northern Ireland. The leads are all non-Americans, with the exception of Selma Blair (in an interesting against-type casting).

Selma Blair as Jean Lerner

The movie appears to have been shot in available light using HD digital cameras. This makes the visual narrative very tenebrous, creating a convincing neo-noir realm of silhouettes and shadowy profiles, symbolic of the characters themselves. The handheld camerawork adds further realism. But it’s the murky sound, and especially the often inaudible dialogue which is so frustrating for the viewer.

WAZ Melissa George and Stellan Skarsgard

Trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together

Stellan Skarsgård mumbles in a thick, gruff American accent. I wasn’t convinced at first, but I warmed to it. His character’s colleagues mutter in the same fashion, only Helen speaks clearly and concisely. When the story unfolds without the usual Hollywood exposition in a more sophisticated and cerebral European style it makes trying to follow what is going on very difficult. Striving for naturalism and authenticity can often complicate audience comprehension. The balance is precarious, and is echoed by the movie’s cruel injustices.

German poster

This is not a movie for the easily offended, or for those of a squeamish nature; the violence, although not frequent, when executed is horrendous. You feel it, ohh, Sweet Jesus yes, you feel it.

There is a revelation during the movie’s final ten or so minutes which takes the story in whole new direction, and then the movie collapses. It’s an intriguing denouement, not wholly successful, in that the character of Helen is left picking up the jagged, ruined pieces and one wonders if the audience were meant to have made some kind of empathetic connection with her earlier on. Both Eddie and Helen are troubled souls, but the screenplay doesn’t provide us with enough meat to chew down to the marrow of their individual plights.

Still, the movie does reflect the all too contradictory and obtuse nature of humanity with a unique and frightening level of conviction. It's a harrowing film to watch, but very well made. Director Shankland is definitely one to watch. It has been released on DVD in America through Dimension Extreme under the Hollywoodized title The Killing Gene.

Here's the trailer:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

2 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Damo

October 23rd 2008 05:07

For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics

It looks stylish but anything that tries to trade off Seven had better be terrific or am going to be totally pissed.
Trading off SAW just confuses me.

Comment by Bryn

October 23rd 2008 06:47

Horrorphile

It's much more Se7en than Saw. It's not nearly as accomplished or as sophisticated as Se7en, but it's more intelligent and disturbing than Saw.

[ Previous - The House That Dripped Blood ]

[ Next - John Carpenter's Village of the Damned ]

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