April 27, 2003 | Category:

Phone Booth

Given a primary location that is roughly the size of a portaloo, you wouldn’t think “Phone Booth” could be very interesting. Of course, throw in the other key ingredient of the film, a sniper aiming at the occupant of the phone booth who starts picking off nearby people, and you’ve got a considerably more interesting prospect.

The small location doesn’t detract from tension, drama, or even characterisation. We get to see the inner workings of Stu (Colin Farrell), and the mysterious sniper (Keifer Sutherland). Although Stu isn’t the best of people (he’s an asshole), we can still feel for him; trapped in a claustrophobic nightmare, being instructed by a madman who can play God with his life.

I don’t want to say too much more (I try not to ruin films for others), but it’s definitely worth seeing.