The Call
Starring: Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Michael Eklund
Directed By: Brad Anderson
Reviewed by Danielle Muir

[rating: 4/5]

Well, that escalated quickly.  From the outset, I perceived the trailer to have shown me the whole film already – a thoroughly permed Berry receives a 911 call (mirroring one six months previous that resulted in the fatality of a young girl), from another in-peril adolescent, and quickly realizes it’s the same perpetrator.  From the trailer we also know that she obviously takes matters into her own hands and high-tails it out to the scene of the crime, engaging in a showdown with the resident bad guy.

These events are most certainly included – what isn’t is the level of sheer adrenaline.  The first three-quarters of this film are an absolute edge-of-your-seat rush, as Berry’s character attempts to guide the abducted Casey (Breslin) out from the boot of her captors car.  The combination of pounding music, the sense of dread that Casey’s efforts may be discovered and the demented Michael Foster’s (Eklund) brutal attempts at carrying out his deed make for an almost unbearably tense thrill ride.

Of course this momentum has to cease somehow, and the trailer does show you the sequence in which the film unfolds – but there are still some slick surprises up The Call’s sleave.  Berry does well as the shaken 911 Operator Jordan, and despite some mucky scenes with her love interest police officer (which is all a bit unnecessary), she shines.  Once a vision of confidence, she visibly struggles to hold her composure whilst guiding Casey through the ordeal, plagued by doubts that she is divvying out the right information due to a previous fatal case.  The struggle on Berry’s face is obvious – and coupled with some believable dialogue that seems like legitimate 911 protocol, she makes for intriguing viewing.  Breslin is also fantastic (as always) in her role as the kidnapped Casey – behaving exactly as any terrified person would – pulling it together, breaking down, being forced into horrific situations.  That feeling of helplessness when Foster repeatedly restrains her efforts will stir a sudden desire to obtain self-defence training by any young women watching.  The conclusion sees her going a bit too loopy, but doesn’t detract from the fact that she’s one of the best young actors working today.  And Eklund puts in an utterly creepy performance as the slack-jawed perpetrator.

The Call is an unexpectedly thrilling ride from start to finish, and doesn’t overstay it’s welcome with a 94 min run time – if you’re looking for some substance with your adrenaline then it’s definitely a recommendation.