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| McAdams sparks thrills in ‘Red Eye’ |
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| Written by By Tyler Wilson -Argonaut | ||||||
| Wednesday, 07 September 2005 | ||||||
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In a time when actresses are force-marketed to become the next big
thing (will the completely untalented Jessica Alba please stand up),
it’s refreshing to see Rachel McAdams earn her star status. “Red Eye” is a simple, but effective, thriller starring McAdams as a tough businesswoman named Lisa enduring a crazed terrorist on an overnight flight. The story finds tension and excitement in the simplest of things, namely two people talking in a cramped space. Cillian Murphy (the Scarecrow in “Batman Begins”) delivers a creepy performance as a charming but ruthless terrorist named Jack, but it’s McAdams’ tough, smart female lead that dominates the film. If you’ve seen the trailers, you know the film begins as sort of a pseudo-romance film, as Lisa and Jack have a flirty conversation in an airport terminal. But once they find themselves sitting next to each other on a late-night flight to Miami, Jack’s true intentions are clear. Unlike many similar high-concept thrillers, “Red Eye” doesn’t tack on a bunch of silly plot twists and reversals to find thrills. The script intensifies quite a bit once the airplane lands, but most of the tension is a result of Lisa’s reaction to Jack’s plan. It’s almost a relief to watch a film that doesn’t turn the plot into melodrama. Director Wes Craven has always had a keen eye for thrills and horror (even after this year’s truly abysmal werewolf stinker “Cursed”). “Red Eye” is more of small-scale Alfred Hitchcock thriller than a horror film, but Murphy does generate chills as Jack, and the threat of sky-terrorism adds scary relevance. The success of the film’s thrills can be traced to a few very important details at the beginning of the film. Like in many airplane movies, we’re introduced to the usual assortment of clichéd individuals, the difference here being that they all come back in some shape or form to enhance the cat-and-mouse game between Lisa and Jack. Also vital are the few but important details about Lisa’s character in the film’s opening that sharpen her believability. Using old family photos, and even the overused device of a scar, its clear that Lisa can hold her own against any foe. Setting an entire film on a plane can be tough, and thankfully Craven knows when it’s time to get off the plane and drive the action. Some will dismiss the more traditional, action-oriented climax as routine, but McAdams especially shines in these final minutes. She’s tough, smart, beautiful and ready to take down anyone for the sake of what’s important to her. Too often in film, females are delegated to screaming and making huge lapses in judgment. Lisa is a firecracker, and you almost feel bad for Jack for even trying to mess with her. “Red Eye” is B-movie material for sure. The dialogue isn’t high-class, the movie’s short and small-budgeted and the entire scenario, even in these times of heightened security, isn’t exactly logical. But McAdams and Murphy play off each other so wonderfully, first with a hint of sexual chemistry, then with a huge sack of hatred for one another, that their time together is what makes the film more than typical thriller fare. Murphy’s already on his way to the top, but after showing her range in “The Notebook,” “Wedding Crashers,” and now “Red Eye,” McAdams is the next big thing. And she didn’t have to take her clothes off to accomplish it.  Add as favorites (17) | Views: 651
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