The Interview (1998)

Directed by Craig Monahan

Produced by Bill Hughes

Starring Hugo Weaving, Tony Martin, Aaron Jeffrey, Michael Caton, Paul Sonkkila, Peter McCauley, Glynis Angel

The Interview

This is one that really took me by surprise when I first caught it on video, having been blissfully ignorant of its dark roots when it enjoyed a critically acclaimed theatrical run in 1998. Once Siren Visual Entertainment released this one on disc, it became an automatic "must-see". Okay, so what lies behind the quietly unassuming, jarringly understated artwork, a cast of Australian industry and television regulars, a debuting feature director, and a rather low-key profile? Without wanting to sound unreasonably pretentious, "The Interview" is Australia's answer to "The Usual Suspects", and to a bolder degree a chilling thriller equally as powerful as George Sluizer's "The Vanishing". From the brutally abrupt opening scenes to the final heart-stopping freeze frame, it grabs the viewer and sucks them in with its slow burn, turgid intensity. Get ready for an extraordinarily disturbing 100 odd minutes of cinema, as once it grips it doesn't let go.

The plot is relatively simple, at first glance anyway. Early one morning, a small team of police kick down unemployed loner Eddie Fleming's (Weaving) front door, taking him into custody at gunpoint. Fleming is as bewildered as the viewer as to their motivations, but is swiftly shunted into the interview room of a city police branch and read his rights. Detective John Steele (Martin) commences his interview with Fleming at 7:57am, initially leading him and the audience nowhere. Obscure reference is made to a stolen car, with inference that Fleming may be implicated in its theft. But surely a man isn't ushered into custody at gunpoint for stealing car? No, Steele has ulterior motives, as he feels Fleming may be something more than he appears. But Fleming appears little more than a frightened mouse under legal interrogation, so what gives?

Hours pass, a myriad of purported evidence is thrust under Fleming's nose, threats are made, and the non-descript man begins to buckle under the intensity of the situation. Pressure is on Steele from above to crack an unsolved series of crimes, but is Fleming their man? Steele is convinced, even if his evidence is bordering on the wrong side of thin. All is not as it appears, on both sides of the coin. Ambiguity runs rife, truth becomes nebulous. Without warning, Eddie admits involvement in a series of unsolved disappearances, and the tide turns in a manner even an experienced hand of Steele's background is not prepared for. But is it the truth, or is Fleming just giving Steele "what he wants to hear"? Is Fleming the most dangerous man Steele has ever encountered, or is he just a desperately innocent man boxed into a corner? Whatever the truth, the final resolution may prove to be shattering for all parties involved.

To say any more would severely compromise a masterful, and grippingly labyrinthine examination of truth in its many forms and perceptions. Craig Monahan's direction is flawlessly tight, his attention to detail painfully precise. His use of cinematography stunningly evocative, and deliberately powerful in weaving his densely layered story. Extraordinary performances from both Weaving and Martin exhilarate as the mounting tension builds, tying the viewer's stomach in taut knots of suspense. Nothing is as it seems, Monahan keeps you guessing right to the very last freeze frame. There are moments that will chill you to the bone, and just when you think you know where Monahan is heading, he eludes you only to pull the rug out from under you. This is first class suspense cinema that easily compares against Bryan Singer's "The Usual Suspects" for pure, unadulterated, edge-of-the-seat audience involvement. Peerless…

Siren's disc is quite something to behold for an independent distributor, as they appear to have gone to great lengths make sure the presentation of this feature has been done justice. The feature itself is letterboxed at its original aspect ratio of 1.85 and, although not an anamorphic transfer, is exceptionally crisp, detailed and fitting of its source. Much of the film takes place within shadow, and the disc holds true to the inky blacks on show. Colours are rich, and detail is unusually high. The audio is Dolby 2.0, which manages to throw the odd separation effect and lend an ambience to David Hirschfelder's pervasive score. Overall, for what many would consider a basic presentation, the quality is exceptionally high.

Extras wise, you know you're in for something special the moment the menus kick in, as they are fully animated and themed exceptionally well. I've seen major studios afford blockbusters static menus, so this was a surprise for such a "small" film. But anyway, first up we are given a full running commentary by director Craig Monahan that is occasionally sporadic, but always informative. Three deleted scenes are included, which can be run with or without director's commentary. One of these is the alternate ending, and once seen you will be quite happy that he went with the film's release version. Additionally, there is a Press Kit that features cast & crew biographies, as well as interviews with all principals involved. Also (!), there are awards lists, review quotes, a pre-production feature that highlights location scouting & storyboards. And finally, there's the theatrical trailer. All up, a very nice, if not abundantly featured, package!

For those that wonder what we Aussies get up to when we're not turning out unashamedly commercial ventures akin to "Muriel's Wedding" and "Paperback Hero", this is about the best place you could start. Monahan's film is a sure-footed debut feature film, and the overall quality of the work is to be lauded. Weaving and Martin are uniformly excellent, their performances absolutely compelling. I cannot urge viewers with a taste for refined, psychological terror strongly enough to seek out this film and revel in its disturbing edge. It is such an exemplary work, so wonderfully understated, that it creeps up on you and strikes without warning. A bonafide five star psychological thriller.

Review by M.C.Thomason


 
Released by Siren Visual Entertainment
Classified M(15+) - Region 4
Running time - 104 minutes
Ratio - Widescreen 1.85
Audio - Dolby 2.0 surround
Extras :
Audio commentary by Craig Monahan, Deleted Scenes, Alternative Ending, Pre-Production featurettes, Cast & Crew Interviews, Cast & Crew Biographies, Production Notes, Theatrical trailer
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