| WEBLINKS |
 |
The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content
of external websites. |
|
|
Despite
a great cast and glossy direction, it's as empty, transparent, and
characterless as the titular abode.
Ruby
(Sobieski) is a bolshy teenager who is orphaned along with her younger
brother when their parents are killed in a mystery car crash. Family
friends the Glasses (Lane and Skarsgård) take them in, whipping
the kids away to their Malibu ice palace filled with steel surfaces,
modern art, and reflecting pools.
But
it's not long before Ruby becomes suspicious of Mr Glass' lascivious
gaze, his wife's apparently addictive personality, and hushed conversations
about money. Could the Glasses be up to no good? Is the Pope Catholic?
A lazy
screenplay (by the man previously irresponsible for "The Saint"
and "Wolf") wusses out on the more interesting plotline
of whether Ruby has an overly vivid imagination, and soon throws
the usual clichés together, providing more questions than
answers. Why are the Glasses so careless about their incriminating
discussions when they're so cunning with a visiting social worker?
If Ruby is from such a popular, stable family, why doesn't she have
anyone to call for help? And the perennial query, why are baddies
never killed first time?
The
talented ensemble struggle bravely, but while Lane, Dern and Skarsgård
are eventually reduced to embarrassing cartoons, only Sobieski ("Eyes
Wide Shut") comes out in one piece. Gruff, vulpine, and convincingly
shrewd, she shows she can certainly do a lot better.
"The
Glass House" opens in UK cinemas on Friday 25th January 2002.
Reviewed by, 91Èȱ¬ Films
Use the
link below to comment on this film.
|
