**_Infamous film starring Lohan is artistic, explicit and inventive_**
I watched this movie without knowing any of the controversy behind it, such as Lohan being harassed by the paparazzi during shooting and the corresponding tabloid scrutiny, as well as her legal issues that caused her to be late on occasion or not show up at all. An additional problem is that she had her appendix removed when filming started in Dec 2006, but developed an infection that shut down shooting after a week, which recommenced in Feb-Mar. Add to this the fact that the flick won eight Razzies, including Worst Picture of 2007, which broke the record set by “Battlefield Earth” and “Showgirls.”
Yet none of that matters when viewing it as a piece of cinematic art & entertainment, especially after all these years. The film worked for me. Sure, it starts out confusing, but it soon finds its footing, and I found myself interested in the story, which brought to mind Jeff Goldblum’s underrated “Hideaway.” Regarding the story, it deals with a high school senior who goes missing and the serious investigation to find her, not to mention capture the psycho responsible. When the girl is eventually found, severely injured, she insists that she’s not the missing person in question. What’s going on?
I suppose it didn’t help that Lindsay looked older than her actual age during shooting. She was 20 years-old playing a high school senior but easily looked 28-30. This can be observed when she’s reading a short story in front of the class wherein she struck me as the teacher. Of course, it’s not uncommon for aged actors to star in movies about high school students (Roddy McDowall, for instance, played a senior when he was 36 years-old in “Lord Love a Duck”).
The potential serial killer element and gratuitous gore bring to mind movies like “Silence of the Lambs,” “Kiss the Girls,” “The Cell” and “Hostel.” I’ve only seen three Lohan movies—including “The Parent Trap” and “Herbie Fully Loaded”—and simply wasn’t expecting this R-rated approach. Add to this sensual pole dancing sequences and it becomes clear that Lindsay was wanting to break away from her more innocent stereotype.
The locations (listed below) are outstanding and there’s a sense of artistry to the polished proceedings, even beauty, despite some bits that are sensual, coarse or sordid. Everything is eventually explained with a rare ‘wow’ revelation. A plus is that this is arguably the top contender for catching Lohan’s beauty in her prime, disregarding the dubious sleaze element. On top of all this, there's an interesting subtext on how one's environment contributes to the quality of one's life.
As for the supposed plot holes that critics whine about, they’re not there. Everything can be explained if you pay attention to the details and use a little imagination. The writer and director respected the intelligence of the viewer. The only real shortcoming I can think of is a scene in the last act involving someone’s hand, which could’ve been executed better.
This is the flick that ended Lindsay’s rising star, and she wouldn’t appear in another (minor) movie for two years, although she’d do a music video and a little television work. In 2014 she moved to London to escape the insanity and, eventually, Dubai.
It runs 1h 46m and was shot in Morro Bay & nearby San Luis Obispo, which are a 3h 45m drive northwest of Los Angeles.
GRADE: B
