So over the weekend, I quickly flicked through what I had recorded on PVR and found this film. I recalled that I hadn’t seen Richard Gere in anything since he played Billy Flynn in Chicago. (I know that was a hit with just about everyone who saw it, but I’m not a huge ‘musical’ fan. Gere was however very good.)
I’ve always enjoyed his work, and believe he is actually one of the most under-rated actors in Hollywood. His biggest problem is sometimes he picks material that is far inferior to his ability as an actor – think Mothman Prophecies and Intersection. No matter how bad the film, his performance always carries it along. He is incredibly entertaining and some of his earlier work and more recent work, backed by better supporting casts and greater stories were fantastic – Officer and a Gentlemen, Internal Affairs, Pretty Woman, Primal Fear, Red Corner and Unfaithful.
So fast forward about 5 years from Chicago and we have THE FLOCK. I hadn’t heard about it, never saw an article about it, didn’t see it released on the big screen nor had I come across it whilst paging through Amazon.com. But, it also had Claire Danes in it, who had always had a special place alongside my favourite actresses due to her debut in Romeo & Juliet and great performance in Brokedown Palace (don’t get me started on T3). So, I decided to watch it. And, I was more than pleasantly surprised.
It’s the story of a Department of Public Safety Officer. A veteran at his post for more than 20 years. He tracks and monitors registered Sex Offenders in his district. He calls them his flock. Weekly visits keep them at a short leash and his constant in your face attitude ensures that they never re-offend. Early on we realise that he takes his job very seriously. The rest of his department, and his superior, believe far too seriously, rather that it’s a borderline obsession. He hardly ever sleeps. He reads news-paper articles to track cases which may relate to possible offenders from ‘his flock’. He even ‘welcomes’ new listed offenders to the neighbour – with totally inappropriate surprise visits ensuring them that he is the law in the area. But because of his obsessive ways – and an under lying issue we pick up early on is unresolved from a past case – the department is letting him go. Claire Danes is his replacement. Immediately we pick up she is not prepared nor suited for the position. He knows this and does not want to be forced into retirement, especially handing over to someone who is totally ‘wet-behind-the-ears’. Reluctantly, he hands over and has 10 days to teach her what he has mastered over a 20 year career. Then, a girl is abducted from his district and they are forced to work together to solve the case – which may relate back to Gere’s ‘unsolved crime from the past’.
The film, for what I imagine was made on a relatively inexpensive budget, is shot beautifully. It’s a dark, unsettling picture. Delving into the world of sexual predators, rapists and paedophiles (to name a few off the list Gere mentions to Danes) is never going to be pleasant but the film is shot in such a way that you are never forced to see too much, but in the same token you are gripped and unsettled enough to remember it. It’s a very good movie. Gere is excellent and although Danes character never really has time to expand, she handles herself perfectly. The film bluntly makes you aware that these serious crimes actually take place. They are diabolical in nature and masterminded to perfection by sick and twisted predators. And the horrific reality of how often many remain missing and are never found. The entire film, Gere’s character is mocked for ‘taking things too seriously’ but at the end of it, you wonder – if his character doesn’t, who will?
It has undertones of 8MM and Silence of the Lambs – but is never as truly spine-chilling as those two. (Definitely not for children!) I believe it’s the Director’s first American/English film and if so, we have a lot to look forward to from him. This one is going to get an ever so slightly inflated 7/10… for love of the movie.