In the past ten years, no director has managed to milk as much from the dark-and-gritty ’90s as director David Fincher. With masterpieces such as “Seven” and “Fight Club” under his belt, Fincher stands as one of the great virtuosos of this generation.And with his latest film, “Panic Room,” Fincher creates a tense, edge-of-your-seat thriller in the tradition of Alfred Hitchcock. The opening credits even resemble those of “North By Northwest,” a Hitchcock classic.Recent divorcee Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) and her daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart) are looking for a new home when they come across an old brownstone apartment.This apartment has everything: four floors of luxurious space, high ceilings, and, oh yeah, a panic room surrounded by so much steel and concrete that nobody can get in.So in an effort to stick it to her ex-husband’s checkbook, Meg takes the apartment.However, on their first night in the apartment, Meg and her daughter must take shelter in the panic room when three men attempt to burglarize them.It turns out that the panic room houses some secret loot that the intruders want.A dangerous waiting game ensues between the trio of burglars and the pair of frightened victims trapped, inside the one place they’re supposed to feel safe, with no means of communication to the outside world.What makes “Panic Room” such an edgy thriller is the director’s ability to play with the audience’s minds.His meticulously crafted story coasts along with little dialogue, leaving the audience waiting. When the action does occur, it is often so quick and deliberate that people are sure to be left wanting more.Again, Fincher is just toying with the audience. He refuses to bombard people with over-the-top flashiness.The cinematography, captured by Conrad Hall and Darius Khondji, flows throughout the house with style and touches of computer-generated image like those used in “Fight Club.”At times Fincher relies on his camera tricks a little too much, unnecessarily traveling through hoses and air ducts, but not at the cost of lessening the tension.The script isn’t as strong as that of “Fight Club” and occasionally goes for laughs when it should be seeking thrills, but the slick direction and fine performances easily make up for it.Jared Leto, Forest Whitaker and Dwight Yoakam, who play the three intruders, range from good to stellar. Whitaker and Leto both play each other’s opposites from poised and clever to frenzied and agitated with fine precision. The real surprise is country singer Yoakam, who turns in a devilish performance as a gun-toting quiet man, ready to go off on a moment’s notice.His face is hidden beneath a ski mask for most of the film, making him all the more threatening. Of course, no Fincher film would be complete without some type of gruesome display of violence. “Panic Room” certainly has its share of moments that will make anyone cringe, particularly the scenes involving a sledgehammer and a steel door.If you liked any of Fincher’s previous films then you’re sure to enjoy “Panic Room.”Despite its few flaws, the movie could be one of the year’s ten best.
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Fincher directs superb Hitchcock-style thriller
April 4, 2002
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