Film Review

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Cube
Directed by Vincenzo Natali
Trimark 09/98 DVD/VHS Feature Film
R - strong sci-fi violence, gore, and language

Every once in a while a sci-fi thriller comes along that vividly captures and conveys the best and the worst qualities of human nature that emerge when people are put in life jeopardy situations. This claustrophobic and riveting Canadian film directed by Vincenzo Natali revolves around six people trapped in a mysterious cubical prison that is heavily booby trapped with lethal surprises. No one knows why they were put there or who is behind the macabre experiment.

Quentin (Maurice Dean Wint), a cop, takes charge and lifts everyone's spirits with his pragmatism and hope. Holloway (Nicky Guadagni), a doctor, is a raging paranoid who is convinced that the military-industrial complex is the evil force behind their incarceration. Worth (David Hewlett), a cynical bureaucrat, feeds her fears with his revelations about his involvement with the cube. Rennes (Wayne Robson) is an escape artist who has broken free of numerous prisons. Leaven (Nicole de Boer) has some math skills that come in very handy in their search for a way out. And last, but not least, is Kazan (Andrew Miller), an autistic man whose gift from God is immensely crucial to everyone's chances for survival.

Freedom is the holy grail for these trapped souls, but their worst enemies are fear, prejudice, secrets, violence, and selfishness.

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by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat