Hard Candy

UK Release: 16th June 2006

Watched on Recorded TV: Saturday 14th April 2012

Rating: 18

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Runtime: 1hr 44mins

Tagline: Strangers shouldn't talk to little girls.

IMDb Plot Synopsis: After three weeks of chatting with the thirty-two year old photographer Jeff Kohlver over the Internet, fourteen year old Hayley Stark meets him in the Nighthawks coffee shop. Hayley flirts with him in spite of the age difference and proposes to go to his house. Once there, she prepares a screwdriver for them and Jeff passes out. When he awakes, he is tied up to a chair, and Hayley accuses him of pedophilia. Jeff denies the accusation, and Hayley begins to torture him in a cat and mouse game.

My Review: David Slade’s debut film is a strong, involving thriller which was interesting from the very first scene as you attempt to understand the mind-sets of the characters involved - something you don’t really ever find out! 

Lead Ellen Page was mesmerising and you were drawn to her immediately as the young girl either insane or a genius. More creepy than scary, the cinematography was sleek and raw at the same time with mostly close-ups of the two leads faces as you try to work out what they’re both thinking. 

While dark it was certainly intriguing and made you think, but I’m not sure how I feel about the conclusion as it was a bit unrealistic and morbid - yet it could be argued to fit the tone of the film perfectly! 

Be prepared for a puzzle and not much satisfaction, as you have to work this one out for yourself...

Score: 7/10