Mute Witness movie review
Mute Witness movie credits:
Directed by: Anthony Waller
Written by: Anthony Waller
Cast:
Marina Zudina (Billy Hughes)
Fay Ripley (Karen Hugues)
Evan Richards (Andy Clarke)
Release date: 1994
Spoiler alert: some crucial elements of the movie are commented in the following review. Be warned!
My bloody rating:
Mute Witness movie review:
Eleven years before "Hostel", a small independent movie was shot with a similar set up and storyline. However, this movie was not about millionaires who are enjoying slashing young teens, but rather a deep look into the terrible world of a slasher movie that turns out to be real!
Billy Hughes is a young makeup artist who is currently working on a slasher movie shot in Moscow. Unfortunately, she is left behind as the crew is leaving and she must find a way to get out of the locked building.
She ends up on a set of a porno movie. However, she is about to witness a real murder that is shot on film by two sadistic killers who are working for someone healthy and cruel.
To make things worse, Billy is unable to speak since she is mute (but not deaf). That's the set up of this fun little thriller!
Movie lovers will enjoy the fact that this is movie about making movies, so some scenes do include some simple tips and techniques on special effects and makeup!
Although the scenario of this movie is different from the one of "Hostel", you can find many similarities between both movies! They are both taking places in abandoned facilities.
Both are based on themes that are sadistic and closer to urban legends than real facts. Both are filled with shocking sequences mixing reality and myths.
Finally, both are mixing sex, nudity and violence to sell their messages. However, these two movies are also quite different!
Anthony Waller's slasher movie does not contain as many shocking scenes as "Hostel" is! His movie is more complex and does seem closer to reality than Eli Roth's film!
The cast is made of several Russian actors and was shot in Russia, adding more credibility and reality to the movie!
All performances are not perfect, but overall, most actors are doing a good job and the whole thing does seem believable!
Star Wars fans will also notice the presence of Alec Guinness in what is considered his last feature film ever. It's funny to know that his sequence was shot nine years earlier and that he did not ask for any money to play this part!
Don't expect a gory slasher movie, but a good (and simple) thriller with a nice story and some small and interesting surprises!
Mute Witness movie review written by: Martin Berube
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