Thought this was going to be a supernatural thriller but it was all too human a portrayal of a very strange family set-up.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The film centres on Andy, a young boy who is wheelchair bound and kept at home by his seemingly overprotective parents. He has no friends and doesn't see the world outside his house while his doctor mother cares for him. When Maryann, a teenage girl of the same age, moves to town and visits the house, they form a friendship but it's one that is swiftly and sternly forbidden by Andy's mother, Katherine.
This is the first true sign we get that all is not well with Katherine (played by the incomparably brilliant Samantha Morton). It becomes apparent that perhaps she is keeping Andy unwell and while the name 'Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy' isn't mentioned in the film, this appears to be the crux of Katherine's psychosis (and, to a much lesser extent, Andy's insular father Richard).
Undeterred by her being banned from visiting, Maryann continues to sneak in and out of the house in her efforts to get Andy doing normal childhood things and in doing so, discovers a secret being kept by Katherine and Richard that is yet more sinister than what they're doing to Andy.
This is one aspect of the film that is rather frustrating. The refusal of anyone to believe Maryann about what she's discovered, coupled with her inaction (maybe go to the police?!?) is baffling but one has to allow films to exercise poetic licence, I guess. However, frustrating as it is, it does add to the suspense and the sense of dread; two things this film does very well.
Charlie Tahan is very good as Andy but the undoubted star of the film is Samantha Morton who is genuinely chilling as the increasingly unhinged Katherine. Watching her, I was put in mind of those iconic, sinister, cinematic caregivers Nurse Ratched, Annie Wilkes and, to a lesser extent, Eddie's Mum in 'It'. The idea of the caregiver being the source of the suffering is one that we can all agree is a scary proposition.
The look in Katherine's eyes at times are so cold and disturbing and that is acting that can't be taught. This would be an okay film if left to just the script and the premise but it is Samantha Morton that makes this a very good film. In Katherine, she has created a truly memorable movie monster.
You'll find this one on Prime under the name 'Can't Come Out To Play'. Not sure why the film's name changed but there we are.
7.5/10
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The film centres on Andy, a young boy who is wheelchair bound and kept at home by his seemingly overprotective parents. He has no friends and doesn't see the world outside his house while his doctor mother cares for him. When Maryann, a teenage girl of the same age, moves to town and visits the house, they form a friendship but it's one that is swiftly and sternly forbidden by Andy's mother, Katherine.
This is the first true sign we get that all is not well with Katherine (played by the incomparably brilliant Samantha Morton). It becomes apparent that perhaps she is keeping Andy unwell and while the name 'Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy' isn't mentioned in the film, this appears to be the crux of Katherine's psychosis (and, to a much lesser extent, Andy's insular father Richard).
Undeterred by her being banned from visiting, Maryann continues to sneak in and out of the house in her efforts to get Andy doing normal childhood things and in doing so, discovers a secret being kept by Katherine and Richard that is yet more sinister than what they're doing to Andy.
This is one aspect of the film that is rather frustrating. The refusal of anyone to believe Maryann about what she's discovered, coupled with her inaction (maybe go to the police?!?) is baffling but one has to allow films to exercise poetic licence, I guess. However, frustrating as it is, it does add to the suspense and the sense of dread; two things this film does very well.
Charlie Tahan is very good as Andy but the undoubted star of the film is Samantha Morton who is genuinely chilling as the increasingly unhinged Katherine. Watching her, I was put in mind of those iconic, sinister, cinematic caregivers Nurse Ratched, Annie Wilkes and, to a lesser extent, Eddie's Mum in 'It'. The idea of the caregiver being the source of the suffering is one that we can all agree is a scary proposition.
The look in Katherine's eyes at times are so cold and disturbing and that is acting that can't be taught. This would be an okay film if left to just the script and the premise but it is Samantha Morton that makes this a very good film. In Katherine, she has created a truly memorable movie monster.
You'll find this one on Prime under the name 'Can't Come Out To Play'. Not sure why the film's name changed but there we are.
7.5/10