Jezizup [Film Festival 07.16.10] movie review horror drama



Year: 2010
Directors: Christopher Rusin
Writers: Christopher Rusin
IMDB: NA
Trailer: link
Review by: Jezizup
Rating: 7 out of 10

Meet Leah, a beautiful young woman who has suffered every type of abuse imaginable at the hands of her father. Her mother is confined to a wheelchair, so Leah spends much of her time caring for her and doing most of the household chores on her own. She works at a local inn and takes orders from her creepy boss all day long. To escape the banality of everyday life, she enjoys talking to her pet canary, sewing beautiful yellow dresses, and luring men back to her house so she can “play with them.” Over the years of constant abuse, Leah has come to believe that “all men think women are nothing,” and now she is out to settle the score.


There is nothing wildly original about Fell’s plot – media is so flooded with formulaic crime dramas that the plot outline could be something you would see on an episode of Criminal Minds. But what sets this film apart is the angle it took on a familiar subject. Fell is not about an evil serial killer who is taken down by a team of clever agents. Rather, it is a complex portrait of someone who buckles under the weight of generations of abuse.

Main character Leah’s world is a dark one. Director Christopher Philip Rusin does an excellent job of illuminating the sick, creepy things about everyday life. Fell kind of reminded me of Freeway because of the constant sickness lurking behind every corner. Other comparisons could be drawn to Carrie, and I couldn’t help but think of Clive Saunders’ Gacy, as well.

Strong acting performances carry the film. Cheryl Fidelman plays Leah in a no-holds-barred performance that is really the backbone of the movie. She shows us that Leah’s mask is cracked and barely hanging on – as is her grip on reality. Kari Wishingrad plays Leah’s mother and succeeds in being frustratingly weak and broken.

Other than the extensive verbal abuse Leah suffers, we see little actual violence on screen. The camera always cuts away, or simply pans over so you can hear what is happening, but not see it. Somehow this makes the impact of what is happening even more profound. This is the type of film that you think about for a long time after watching. I couldn’t get it out of my head. There was something about the story that made it seem so real, despite the often poor production value. This one is worth checking out.

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Naomi Colb (10 years ago) Reply

Sounds entertaining! I am putting it on my calendar.

Bain Campbell (10 years ago) Reply

Can't wait to see gorgeous you on the big screen, Cheryl. I've always, albeit perhaps secretly, been a huge fan of yours.
Big love, Bain

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