Hard Candy, Fullscreen Edition DVD Review

Hard Candy was a movie that moved me but also disturbed me in more ways than one. I read a review on the movie a long while before I got the chance to see it and it really intrigued me how they could tastefully do a movie like this without coming off as perverted as it sounds. Once you read the plot you'll understand.

Plot: Hayley, a 14 year old girl, met Jeff, a 32 year old photographer, on the Internet. When Hayley suspects Jeff of being a pedophile, she decides to go to his home in an attempt at exposing him for what he really is.

I know the plot sounds a bit wild and risque but it's extremely well done. There's really only two actors on screen for about 90% of the film. Knowing this before I saw it, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it because I've seen a few terrible movies with the same style. Ellen Page, who plays Hayley, does an amazing job of being the mature, sadistic 14 year old who wants the truth and will do anything to get it. I'm always leery of child actors though, as they can make or break a film. Thankfully, her acting is brilliant. Patrick Wilson, who plays Jeff, also does a great job and I'd say why but it would ruin some of the surprise of the movie.

The twists and turns of Hard Candy are what really pull it all together. So many times did I think one thing was coming and the exact opposite would happen. I hope that doesn't make me sound like a bad guesser, because I'm usually dead on but this movie had me guessing until the very end. You'd also think a psychological thriller set in a single setting would get tired or repetitive at times but not once did I feel like it was getting repetitive. I accredit this to the amazing cinematography and directing.

I think Hard Candy really hits the issue of pedophilia and shows just how dangerous the Internet can be, not only for children but, for the people who tempt them as well. I do suggest seeing this movie but, be warned, some of the tactics Hayley uses to get the truth out of Jeff are disturbing to say the least. If the subject of pedophilia makes you uncomfortable, even though its only talked about and not actually acted upon in this movie, I'd say skip this one.

MPAA Rating: R (for disturbing violent and aberrant sexual content involving a teen, and for language)

Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes

Year: 2005

Rating(out of 10): 8