Under The Skin
Director: Jonathan Glazer.
Screenplay: Jonathan Glazer, Walter Campbell.
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Paul Brannigan, Adam Pearson, Kryštof Hádek, Joe Szula, Michael Moreland, Jeremy McWilliams, Scott Dymond, Andrew Gorman, Jessica Mance.
“You’re not from here? Where are you from?”
Having been a fan of both Sexy Beast and the underrated Birth, I was happy to hear that Jonathan Glazer’s third directorial outing would be an adaptation of Michael Faber’s popular science fiction novel of the same name. Also (as a Glaswegian myself) I was even more intrigued to hear that this forthcoming story would be set primarily in Glasgow. I was interested in how the city and it’s inhabitants would be depicted and I have to admit that Glazer’s decision to do so, has paid dividends.
A mysterious, and otherworldly, woman (Scarlett Johansson) arrives in Scotland where she wanders and drives around with the intention of seducing lonely men. The encounters she has, lead her to question her own existence as she strives for some meaning to her life and those around her.
Did I hear anyone say Species? Of course, those who are familiar with Roger Donaldson’s 1995, B-movie Sci-Fi will undoubtedly make comparisons with the premise of Glazer’s third outing but the film itself actually shares more in common with the originality of Nicolas Roeg’s 1976 film, The Man Who Fell To Earth. However, these films are mentioned in the same breath for very good reason as Under The Skin feels, somewhat, like the love child of Natasha Henstridge and David Bowie. Scarlett Johansson’s unnamed extra-terrestrial has the same man-devouring intentions as Henstridge while director Jonathan Glazer has an uncanny knack for Roeg’s ethereal qualities. It could also be pointed out that Bertrand Tavernier’s Death Watch in 1980 could have had an influence in utilising the grim and gloomy Glasgow locations for a sombre, science fiction mood piece.
It’s has a hugely experimental approach to filmmaking but one that’s entirely fitting to the films themes of isolation and understanding. Many Glasgow residents were filmed in secret (signing a disclaimer afterwords to be included in the final cut) and it’s this secret filming that adds an authenticity to their behaviour and allows us to see ourselves through the eyes of another entity. In this case, it’s almost a stroke of genius to have the often indecipherable Glaswegians as the focus of this alien being’s intentions. Many don’t understand the Glaswegian dialect or idiom and even though I completely understood what they were saying, I can only assume that many viewers wouldn’t quite grasp it the same way. Maybe I’m wrong but I often get the impression that the colloquialisms of the city do seem alien to people. I could even sense that Johansson herself didn’t know what they were saying at times but this only added the distance between her and the supporting characters. No one does anything of particular note but it’s their mundane existence that Johansson’s character finds interesting and it adds a rather captivating edge when seen through her eyes. Few, if any, science fiction films have managed to capture this concept or observation so well and it’s this that lends the film a true originality that bypasses the B-movie shlock of Species and comfortably finds it’s path on Roeg-ish territory.
That being said, Under the Skin can, at times, be a tough watch and will certainly not appeal to those that who prefer to be spoonfed their science fiction. There’s a leisurely pace and the foreboding music score by Mica Levi and brilliantly bleak cinematography by Daniel Landin only add to the overall sense of dread and depression. The entire point of it all in creating and conveying a distance is also the very approach that could leave many viewers struggling to find any enjoyment. It’s also a role for Johansson that will ‘alienate’ many of her fans but those who are patient, and appreciate art-house cinema, will be richly rewarded.
Much like the lure Johansson has over her male counterparts, the film itself lures you into a meditative frame of mind and refuses to let go. Some may see it as pretentious but whether or not you grasp it’s existential pondering’s, there’s still no denying it’s mesmerising mood. Bold filmmaking and quite unlike anything else from 2014.
Mark Walker
Trivia: The film took nearly 10 years to be made, and one of the early drafts of the scripts included a Scottish married couple, who were revealed to be aliens in disguise. Brad Pitt was, at the time, cast as one half of the couple.
January 12, 2015 at 2:53 pm
Excellent review Mark, certainly looks like an unusual film to say the least.
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January 12, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Cheers Vinnie. It’s very unusual, to say the least, but also very well done. It won’t appeal to everyone and I wouldn’t say it’s perfect but there’s no mistaking it’s style and intrigue.
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January 12, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Good stuff Mark, glad you enjoyed this and interesting to get your take on it as a native of those parts. For me this was one of the best films I saw last year, I kept on thinking about it for weeks afterwards. Really unsettling and completely original! What did you make of the ending?
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January 12, 2015 at 4:14 pm
That fact that it was set in Glasgow only added to the realism for me, Stu. Brilliantly done and it was great that they never tried to tone down the strong Glaswegian accents. As for the ending, I loved it. Without giving away major spoilers, I thought it was very fitting and tied in perfectly with Johnasson’s own behaviour and experiences beforehand. I thought the film ended very strongly.
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January 12, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Yeah it definitely suited the film. As for the accents…ma heid was nippin’ wi’ aw of it!
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January 12, 2015 at 4:35 pm
(As you probably wouldn’t say!)
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January 12, 2015 at 4:38 pm
In fact, thats excatly what I’d say. I’m impressed with your grasp of the Scottish tongue, my friend. 🙂
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January 12, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Mesmerizing indeed. Likely one of the most haunting films of 2014. Fine review, Mark.
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January 12, 2015 at 4:16 pm
Its hard to think of a more haunting film, Michael. This was a highly original piece of work that could have fallen flat but it’s bravery paid off.
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January 12, 2015 at 5:19 pm
How did you like the locations used for UTS? I thought the Scottish land and city scapes certainly added to its haunting nature, Mark.
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January 12, 2015 at 5:24 pm
I thought they were used brilliantly, Michael. They certainly utilised the more impoverished areas of Glasgow to great effect. Like i mention in my review, Bertrand Tavernier and Harvey Keitel filmed in Glasgow way back for “Death Watch” and the city has that air of gloom about it. Perfect for any sombre piece.
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January 12, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Muckers,
Where did you appear in this? Were you one of those people approached by her time in the van?
I totally couldn’t understand you…..
Boat Drinks!
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January 12, 2015 at 4:18 pm
So you noticed me, then? I had to knock Scarlett and her advances back as Mrs. Marked Movies had just put my dinner out. I had to dash 😉
Boat Drinks!
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January 12, 2015 at 4:22 pm
Understood! Can’t be making the Mrs’s mad!
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January 12, 2015 at 4:23 pm
Indeed! She’d have devoured me far worse than anything Scarlett is capable of 😉
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January 12, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Yes. Good call, sir!
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January 12, 2015 at 4:32 pm
I’m sure Mrs. IPC would have reacted the same! 😉
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January 12, 2015 at 4:36 pm
She would have my nuts in a vice!!
BTW – I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy the drunken antics of “Reader Trivia night”
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January 12, 2015 at 4:39 pm
Nice one! I meant to ask you about that. Ive been keeping my eyes peeled for a wee Email notification of your post. 🙂
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January 12, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Someone who cannot be named may have been super drunk and didn’t smoke anything so the third file is a little long and getting edited. I hope to have something up soon : )
No footage is being cut, I’m just clipping the file into two videos instead of one really long one
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January 12, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Sounds good, my man. Its always a laugh watching someone get sloshed on camera without a care in the world. 😉
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January 12, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Great review my friend. A lot of positive reviews for this one. It’s also a film that hasn’t gotten that big of an audience.
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January 12, 2015 at 4:19 pm
It’s certainly an interesting piece of work, bro. Not everyone will enjoy it but if you’re ready for a darkly surreal and intriguing journey then this will do the job. Very interesting approach to filmmaking by using hidden cameras and such.
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January 12, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Really looking forward to watching this now that it’s on Amazon Prime.
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January 12, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Its well worth a look, Abbi. Can’t guarantee that you’ll like it. It’s really one of those love or hate films but i took plenty from it.
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January 12, 2015 at 6:24 pm
A crazy movie. But man, it never lost my interest. Good review Mark.
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January 12, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Cheers Dan! It totally gripped me, despite it’s lethrgic pace. It was the mood that really gripped the most.
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January 12, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Great review, man. You enjoyed this one way more than I did, that’s for sure. I actually kind of secretly hate this movie.
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January 12, 2015 at 6:59 pm
Thanks Ryan. I can understand people not liking it. Its cerainly not for everyone but I think your secret’s out now 😉
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January 12, 2015 at 8:18 pm
Yeah, oops!
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January 12, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Great review, Mark. I loved your tie-in with the Michael Faber–I need to read more of him. This one hasn’t been talked about in a long time–I’m glad you liked it.
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January 12, 2015 at 7:54 pm
I’d actually written this a few months back Cindy but due to my hiatus, it lay dormant. It was interesting reading back over it, though. The whole film came flooding back.
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January 12, 2015 at 9:27 pm
Interesting commentary about Glasgow, will definitely keep that in mind when I rewatch the film again! This is one that demands constant pondering…and probably rewards it.
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January 13, 2015 at 5:01 pm
I think using hidden cameras on Glaswegians with very strong accents was a brilliant move, Marshall. Even Johnasson looked perplexed at times which was great for her character. I don’t think you’re missing much from the film overall when it comes to the accents but it’s worked wonderfully regardless.
I appreciate you stopping by, man. 🙂
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January 12, 2015 at 9:28 pm
In the tip 2-3 films of last year for me. An astounding piece of work; this will be seen as a sci-fi classic very quickly. Loved the review mate.
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January 13, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Glad to hear you liked it that much, mate. It was certainly something. When i see it again, i reckon theres a great chance that i’ll enjoy it even more. If it becomes a classic, i can certainly see why.
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January 13, 2015 at 8:25 pm
Boy do some of those images look extra creepy and awesome when set against a black background! 😉
I’m stoked to finally see this review here man, I recall you were eager to see how locals were being used in this film. ‘Under the Skin’ made my top 8 of last year’s better films, as you’ve seen. That’s all I’m going to say. This thing is extraordinary.
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January 13, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Its a very impressive film. No doubt about that, man, and I think it’s use of Glasgow was superb. Im still compiling my list of the best. As it stands it’s on there but there’s a few movies i’ve still to catch up with.
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January 13, 2015 at 8:51 pm
Hey Mark! I was curious what you’d think of this as it was filmed in Glasgow. I had been putting it off as it sounds like bleak film that’s tough to watch at times, but I will rent it at some point. The experimental approach to filmmaking actually intrigues me. Nice to see Paul Brannigan on here too, I like him in The Angels’ Share 🙂
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January 13, 2015 at 9:07 pm
It’s the experimental approach that really works gor the film, Ruth. It’s brave to do so but Glazer and. Johansson pull it off. Kudos to them for being so bold and believing in the project.
Yeah, Paul Brannigan. Im seeing him appear quite a bit here and there on TV and stuff. He seems to be making a go if it but i think his accent will go against him.
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January 13, 2015 at 9:38 pm
His accent? You mean because it’s super thick? Well it seems that it works for McAvoy whose Scottish brogue is super thick too whenever I heard him in interviews. Oh and Gerry used to have a much thicker accent too.
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January 13, 2015 at 9:42 pm
Yeah, I mean that he doesn’t seem to be able to do any other accents. At least none that I’ve heard so far. Gerry isn’t the best at covering his but McAvoy is brilliant at accents. I’ve heard him do loads of them over the years and I think that’s what helping him crack the big time.
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January 13, 2015 at 11:00 pm
Still not seen this one – I know, I’ve let down my fellow Scots. Haha, excellent work Mark!
Adam.
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January 13, 2015 at 11:04 pm
It’s good, mate. If you like this type of thing that is. Very interesting seeing Johansson scour the streets of Glesga but not just for that. It has depth as well. Cheers Adam!
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January 14, 2015 at 12:29 am
I wonder if anybody recognised her – presumably they’d have to cut that out the film, haha!
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January 14, 2015 at 9:00 am
Theres’s probably a good chance that she got away with it. She does look quite different and what weegie would really be expecting to be picked up by Scarlett Johansson. Like you say, though, if it did happen, they’d have cut it.
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January 14, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Fair point. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for Jennifer Lawrence in a red wig next time I’m up though! 😉
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January 14, 2015 at 2:14 am
I’m not sure what I thought of this. It was nice to see Scarlett branch out as there was certainly nothing else like it on screen in 2014. I was already a fan of Glazer’s music video work with Radiohead, Jamiroquai and Massive Attack. I guess what I’m saying is I’d like to see more of this from Glazer. I’ll take movies like Upstream Color, Beyond The Black Rainbow and Holy Motors over most of what is out there. At least, for better or worse, they’re trying something different.
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January 14, 2015 at 9:05 am
Definitely something different Dave. I thought Upstream Color was very interesting but it really kept me at arns length and I struggled to write a review of it. I have Beyond The Black Rainbow and Holy Motors but not got around to watching them yet. Like you say, though, it’s great to see such original works hitting our screens. Hit or miss!
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January 14, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Under the Skin is a great movie. Not from anywhere near Glasgow, but I followed the dialogue pretty well. You’re correct to assert that this is an arthouse film made from a B-movie premise. Great review.
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January 15, 2015 at 12:19 pm
Cheers Dell. Glad to hear you’re a fan too. It’s certainly an intruiging film. It’s experimental approach really paid off.
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January 15, 2015 at 12:45 pm
It was such a great movie which at the same time divided audience. I loved it though and it earned a spot in my 2014 top 10. Johansson had a great year!
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January 15, 2015 at 1:19 pm
A definite audience divider, Nostra. It’s entirely understandable why people would either love or hate it. Such a polarising film.
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January 16, 2015 at 9:56 pm
Nice review Mark and I think I’d give the movie the same score. I loved the intro and the haunting conclusion, but the movie gets receptive in the middle with the alien playing the same routine several times. It really prevented me from fulling loving the film unfortunately.
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January 16, 2015 at 11:25 pm
Thats a very fair observation Charles. I had similiar feelings. A tad repetative in terms of Johansson’s character but I still took plenty from it. The experimental approach and foreboding atmosphere were marvellously delivered. Im looking forward to another viewing, actually. I suspect it may get better on repeat viewings!
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January 21, 2015 at 5:45 pm
As a film, it was great. As an adaptation? Awful. The book is so much better but I really appreciated the atmosphere they created here. Scarlett was outstanding.
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January 22, 2015 at 9:39 pm
It was a book i was very much interested in, Sati, and one i was getting round to when the film came out. Eventually, i seen the film first but I will go back and read it now. Totally agree on the atmosphere and Johansson’s performance. Im not normally a fan of hers but she was very good indeed.
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January 22, 2015 at 1:59 pm
One of my favourite films of last year Mark. Great review. I think Glazer strikes on a powerful mood here and Mica Levi’s score is terrifying.
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January 22, 2015 at 9:46 pm
Thanks Natalie! It’s certainly an interesting mood piece and I’m totally with you on Levi’s score. So haunting! Defintely one of the more thought provoking films of last year.
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April 11, 2015 at 11:34 am
“these films are mentioned in the same breath for very good reason as Under The Skin feels, somewhat, like the love child of Natasha Henstridge and David Bowie.” Love this line Mark! I watched this film without any subtitles, so… I didn’t quite understand the Glaswegians, but loved hearing the accent. Great write-up!
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April 11, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Much obliged miss! It’s a very intriguing little film that bravely took a different approach to things. I loved how it used it’s Glasgow locations and secret filming of people.
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April 11, 2015 at 1:55 pm
I actually had no idea they were secretly filming them until I read it in an article. How friggin creative. I love this film with all its oddity.
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April 11, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Yeah, it was a very good flick. While they were secretly filming, I was half expecting to see myself. I distinctly remember being approached by a lady in a van that looked a bit like Scarlet Johansson. I had to tell her to beat it though. That’s probably why they never kept it in the film 😉
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April 11, 2015 at 2:33 pm
haha, sure!! The nerve of this woman to interrupt your innocent self just like that
:-)))))) Maybe you can still see your name on the roller as “the guy who refused to cooperate”.
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April 11, 2015 at 2:36 pm
The nerve indeed! 😉
I should check the roller just incase I get a “special thanks” or something.
Apparently, though, a lot of people did refuse their footage being used. I suspect they wouldn’t have wanted their wives seeing what they were up to.
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April 11, 2015 at 2:39 pm
LOL. I guess not. Nobody risks getting killed by their wives… not even for gorgeous Scarlett…
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April 11, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Haha! Once Scarlett had had her fun she’d have kicked their arses to the kerb and the poor souls would have been skulking back home with their tales between their legs. I was wise enough to refuse her advances! 😉
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April 11, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Smart thinking there, Mark!! You’re not blinded by a beautiful woman like all them other blokes. A big plus, friend, a big plus!!!
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April 11, 2015 at 2:51 pm
And my good lady doesn’t even know what I’ve done for her. Sometimes the appreciation just isn’t there! 😉
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April 11, 2015 at 2:53 pm
Mmm… maybe you should just tell her you blew off Scarlett just for her. I’m sure she’ll love it 😉
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April 11, 2015 at 2:54 pm
She’d only wonder why I was even talking to strange ladies in van’s in the first place. Scarlett or not. She’d still be suspicious 😉
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April 11, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Women, eh? 😊😊😊
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April 11, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Can’t live with ’em… Can’t run away with Hollywood superstars! 😉
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April 14, 2015 at 9:18 pm
I would not get in her van 🙂
Just too much I didn’t like about this. Maybe since becoming a dad but the scene on the beach was horrific!
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April 14, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Man, it’s funny you mention that. I was actually just talking about that beach scene with a colleague at work today. She didn’t like it either for similar reasons as yourself. Thats fucking weird you mentioning that today of all days.
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April 14, 2015 at 9:27 pm
Maybe I am your work colleague??
Out of all the messed up shit I’ve seen in film thats up there as the most hard hitting. Plus then you hear on the radio what happens to it…….
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April 16, 2015 at 6:37 pm
Shit! I missed this comment, man. I didn’t realise they revealed what happen the kid on the radio. What did happen to it?
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