Brandon Faust | Ritz Section Manager

4/05/02

The box office's latest thriller is definitely shaking the seats of its viewers. Panic Room will make you wish you lived in a shack in the middle of the suburbs.

Meg, played by Jodie Foster (Contact, The Silence of the Lambs), is just divorced and is looking for a new place for her and her daughter, Lydia. They pick out a beautiful, spacious brownstone in the upper west side of Manhattan. But the first night in their new home, they are forced to utilize the special room for security emergencies, the "panic room." Burglars have broken in and they want to get something very valuable out of that room, doing anything within their power.

This flick is completely a thrill ride. Jodie Foster does an awesome job with her suspenseful role in the film. If you remember her from The Silence of the Lambs, there is no way you can doubt the great acting she blesses this movie with. Forest Whitaker (Ghost Dog, Phenomenon, Jason's Lyric) was a perfect choice for the innocent-yet-guilty role he played. Every actor and actress in this movie, in fact, does this film justice. I have no complaints about the acting or roles portrayed.

On the other hand, I really did not like the ending. Note to the director: don't ever leave your audience hanging like you did in this movie. Geez. Good movie though. If you enjoy thrillers, I'd say go and see this in the theatres now. It was #1 in the box office this past Easter weekend (what?) and it looks like it will continue with its success. Otherwise, wait for the rental.