Shattered
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Movie Reviews of Shattered
Movie Review: Why Did They Change The Title?
Summary: 5 Stars
As a big Gerard Butler fan I had been waiting to see this film as for some reason it never got a UK theatrical release. It went out on on US TV TNT last year.
After watching the film I could not understand why the powers that be decided to change the title from Butterfly on a Wheel to Shattered. It should have been best left alone im my opinion as everything was very well explained in the film and in the director/writers commentary.
It is roughly the story of Neil and Abby Randall who seem to have it all. One day whilst Neil is on his way to drop off Abby before having a day at his bosses estate they are surprised by a stranger who has hid in their backseat(Pierce Brosnan). He says if they do not do what he wants they will never see their daughter Sophie again.
This sets off a chain of events to prove if both Neil and Abby will do whatever it takes to save their daughter. From emptying their bank accounts to Abby delivering a document that may ruin Neil's business reputation. At every corner you seem to ask yourself why is he doing this and when you think you have guessed the reason it goes off in another tangent and you are back to square one. It is definitely a film to keep you guessing.
I only knew the ending because I had read spoilers on various sites but if I hadn't I would never have seen the ending coming. I don't want to give the ending away for those who have not seen the film.
All 3 give great performances and it is great to see Pierce in a bad guy role as he is a very underestimated actor.
It is worth watching the film the 2nd time with the directors/writers commentary on as it is hysterical in places. They both have a very Brtish sarcastic sense of humour.
Movie Review: A morality tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Ah, to have everything--a great job, a great wife, a lovely daughter, a nice house, an impending promotion. Life is good. But then, life, being the way it is, shows the worm, that awful worm of destruction. The first "worm" showed up in the Garden to demonstrate its ability to destroy. There have been worms and worms ever since--hidden in each of us-- the worm of desire, greed, revenge, hate, jealousy, envy, despair, the list is endless.
Ah, yes, Neil has everything, including a worm. Let's examine that apple--once again. What a great job: if you include double-crossing your friends and co-workers to grow it. What a great wife--especially if you have a side squeeze to keep your love life varied and thus interesting. What a lovely daughter--kidnapped and gone. What a deserved impending promotion--indeed!
Enter the Wrath of God in the person of Tom, rising up, hidden, from the depths of the back seat. He is here to make Neil and Abby pay for their sins. What's that? Only Neil? Only Neil is to pay?
Then begins the systematic unraveling of Neil's life as he knows it. What would a man do to save his kidnapped daughter? This reviewer can go no further to avoid spoilers. This is allowable: No one escapes. The worm affects every character in the film in utterly devastating ways. Ultimately, in different ways, everyone is "shattered."
When Adam and Eve are forced out of the Garden, what happened to them? Was that the end, or was there more story? At the film's conclusion, the question remains the same: What will happen now?
Note: For local playhouse directors--this script would make a great vehicle for local talent. Although the movie is filmed in various locations, all of it could easily be staged.
Movie Review: a psychological thriller unlike any other
Summary: 5 Stars
On the excellent advice of a reviewer, I went into this movie cold: I knew nothing of the plot, hadn't seen a trailer, hadn't heard anything about it. So, as the plot unfolded, I was totally drawn in, without any previous preconceptions. What a ride! My emotions were all over the place as the kidnapper alternately tormented and humiliated the parents in every way conceivable. With my emotions running wild, I kept trying to figure out who would have motives for such actions. Was the kidnapper acting alone for ransom money, had he been hired by someone else, and if so, who? Nothing made sense, so perhaps the kidnapper was psychotic and had just randomly targeted this family. The horror, terror, upheaval of lives, and unraveling of relationships was beyond intense. I almost did not finish watching because of overwhelming emotional involvement. So, of course, I did not anticipate the conclusion at all. Unbelievable. This film had major emotional impact for me from start to finish, it was so intense. Pearce Brosnan gave a superb performance in a role not his usual style. Maria Bello was outstanding as the frantic mother torn between the demands of her husband and that of the kidnapper. Gerard Butler was stellar as he tried to keep his dignity as the kidnapper drove him to the absolute event horizon of despair. My only recommendation is not to watch this at 1:00 am (like I did), because it will keep you up all night.Movie Review: Great beginning, middle and end
Summary: 5 Stars
The beginning -- gives you just a glimpse of both sides of the husband...just enough to make you guess why someone would want to make his life a living hell, but not enough for you to know for sure. That's what makes for a suspenseful movie.
The middle -- lots of action to keep you entertained. The kidnapper seems hell bent on destroying this man's life, but you are only teased as to his motives. You also get a closer look at both sides of the husband: the protector and the destroyer.
The end -- didn't see that coming! I did suspect at one part, but dismissed my suspicions (if you saw the movie, you'd know why). I'm usually good at seeing the ending of a movie a mile away, so when a movie suprises me like that, I'm delighted and don't feel like I've wasted my time.
All in all, the acting is superb and unlike some thrillers, this one actually makes you think.
Movie Review: Shattered will shatter you.. A real mind twister of a movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen this movie 3 times on TNT and can't wait to get it on the DVD without all the cuts and commercials. This is a movie that will let you see one thing, and then another, and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through. I watched it because of Gerard Butler, but Pierce Brosnan and Maria Bello were very good in their characterizations too and I was very satisfied with all their performances.
I dont want to go into details here as this movie is best seen without knowing the twists and turns it takes in its unfolding, but believe me you will not want to see it just once. It invites discussion and a search into ones own sensibilities about what is right or wrong in human nature. I liked this film very much and feel it should have been allowed in theaters first. Oh yes, Gerard did a great job with this role and his range of emotions are stretched to the limits.....