★ 1 / 10
The Watcher is about a tormented FBI agent
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The Watcher is about a tormented FBI agent and a deranged serial killer. For some reason, James Spader plays the former and Keanu Reeves the latter, when it’s…
The Watcher is about a tormented FBI agent and a deranged serial killer. For some reason, James Spader plays the former and Keanu Reeves the latter, when it’s obvious to anyone familiar with both actors’ careers that it should be the other way around.
Miscasting aside, Reeves sleepwalks through his role as if it were a contractual obligation – which it apparently was; if you believe his story, someone forged his signature on the contract. I’m going to go ahead and take that with a grain of salt; on the other hand, at least Reeves, unlike Spader, has an excuse, far-fetched though it may be.
Then again, it’s not like anyone involved in the making of this movie made an actual effort. Director Joe Charbanic and writers David Elliot and Clay Ayers adopt a lather-rinse-repeat approach toward the material. First thing in the morning, Reeves sends Spader a picture of a woman and gives him till nine o’clock that night to find her before he kills her. The following day they wake up and do it all over again.
The first time lacks suspense because it's too early in the game and we know Spader isn't going to catch Reeves so easily and quickly; moreover, the film is so formulaic and derivative (with shades of Reservoir Dogs and Blow-up, to name but a couple of examples) there is little hope of its throwing us a curve at any point. And the second time is even less suspenseful because, well, been there done that.
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★ 5 / 10
Mediocre thriller about a series killer with great cast and showy visual effects
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A thrilling and nail-biting movie that falls little by little , resulting to be more vapid, unexciting and pointless over and over . Retired FBI Special Agent…
A thrilling and nail-biting movie that falls little by little , resulting to be more vapid, unexciting and pointless over and over . Retired FBI Special Agent Joel Campbell : James Spader, lives in Chicago, where he is struggling to come to terms with his failure to capture a serial killer back when he was working in Los Angeles . Campbell attends therapy sessions with Dr. Polly Beilman : Marisa Tomei , but otherwise has no other friends or social life. Then the serial killer , voyeuristic strangler Keanu Reeves following the burnt-out Spader to Chicago and resumes his grisly activities , as he believes that they have a vitalising Yin and Yang type relationship , so he starts sending Spader photos of his intented victims , 24 hours in advance . Along the way, Spader takes the bait , cleans up his act and discovers new meaning in his life . Leaves clues for burned-out FBI agent Spader as to who his next victim will be so Spader will get back in the game ! . Don't go home alone !. Someone wants to play !.
Based on on the regular premise about a serial killer , whose obsession is with their victims , as the serial murderer has resurrected sending him pictures of his next victim , also like to play cat and mouse games with the cop . It begins with a direct-to-video feel , adding a story cribbed from ordinary serial killer thrillers , throw in a bunch of glimmer visual effects and Keanu's hysterical line readings and you've got a night of talking back to the TV usual style . A predictable and unpleasant action movie in which the same situations are repeated over and over . It is ridiculous enough , but that's half the fun. So-so interpretations from Keanu Reeves overacting as a nasty series murderer , James Spader as the haunted ex-cop and Marisa Tomei as the lonely shrink who unwittingly offers psychoanalitic solace to both cop and killer .
Veteran cinematographer Michael Chapman gives unearned class to the environment , though providing a very dark and sinister atmosphere . While expert composer Marco Beltrani attempts to crank up the intrigue and suspense level . The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Joe Charbanic , as he directs with penchant for MTV style flashbacks and shaky-cam murderer's eye shots merely induce headaches . Joe is a producer and director, known for Haunted Ship and Lost and Found and this his film debut : The watcher (2000). Rating : 4.5/10. Average , only for hardcore fans of the three great actors : Keanu Reeves , James Spader and Marisa Tomei.
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