Strictly average movie

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

EXTREMELY MILD SPOILERS - I don't give away much of anything, but looking at the fine print of the user-agreement leads me to this.I've often made the argument that a film doesn't have to be "likable" to be good. This is great example.This film has some extremely positive qualities. The acting is rather strong from what will most likely be complete unknowns(to American audiences anyway) - even though the lead male looks exactly like Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Javier Bardem... and his acting chops don't suffer much like you might expect given the comparison physically either... even though, let's be honest, nobody stands up well to Bardem."The DOuble Hour" also has as many twists as the top of a coat-hanger, and the audience is likely to guess and likely to be wrong on almost all of them. In hind-site, the twists actually make decent sense and add a nice depth and intrigue post-viewing.Another impressive quality was in some of the cinematography and sound that really added to the "thrilling" nature of the film. I don't think it's spoiling much because these are just subtle tricks that some of the film-makers incorporated - so I'll mention a few.There's one moment where a character feels like someone is watching over them, and there's just a sliver of color down the left bottom corner of the screen, and only for a split-second - it's a really well-done shot.Another 'similar' scene is showing the same character in a similar position in bed, suffering the same phobia, picturing/dreaming themselves alone and then with their partner back-and-forth, and one quick shot in the middle of the character being shown alone(in one of the quick flashes), incorporates three hands near her face and it is also an extremely nice touch. Just another that kind-of separates this from your slightly above average foreign thriller.Yet another occurs in a bathtub, and that scene has nice visuals(although they've been done before in similar scenes), AND each of these three shots uses some nice audio tricks.I'll compare this to another foreign thriller that I watched on the same day in case you've seen it. I also ranked "the Hidden Face" a 7(67/100), but I would say "the Double Hour" here is about as strong of a 7(74.4/100) as possible. This is a clear notch above even though they score the same on IMDb for me.Given the number one reason the film will get sub-par ratings is the genre-bending nature of the story and the unlikable characters themselves - the film actually covers it's bases quite well, and their actions fit their characters back-story to-a-tea. There's little to no problems with plausibility(or the ending) here, but people don't like to be wrong.I'd assume that will be the number one criticism of this film, and I believe it to be unjustified. This film has quite literally grown on me every hour since viewing it.Recommended.You'll like this if you liked: Headhunters(better), The Hidden Face(not as good), or Point Blank(not as good).Thanks for reading.

I left the movie theater with Polanski in mind. The early Polanski. The Tenant, Rosemary's Baby, and especially Repulsion. In fact, I suspect that the very last shot of the movie is a clin d'oeil to the last shot of Polanski's Repulsion. That shot is also similar to the end of Kubrick's The Shining, but the schizophrenic perspective on reality in The Double Hour is certainly closer to early-Polanski than Kubrick.So this is not a cheap thriller. Many times I could feel my heart pounding and I covered my neck with my jacket. The entire movie is well worth seeing just for those (common) suspenseful scenes. The acting is also good, mainly because the characters are believable and fun to watch (for example, there is a Colombo-type cop that I was always happy to see coming back).My only disappointment with The Double Hour is with the very last shot. The movie was ending in a simple way, a bit like Woody Allen's Match Point, but then the last shot appears and we start doubting over the whole thing (was Rosemary paranoid, or did she really give birth to the devil?) Overall a good movie that I would recommend. I would give 9 or 10/10 to the early Polanski movies, The Shining or other suspense movies like The Orphanage. This one had many weak scenes and the ending was a bit adolescent. Nevertheless, a good flick.

It seems we have to get out of the States to see Noir cinema again, to be able to get that corrosive and disturbing feeling that appears to be the essence of a good mystery. In a world populated by individuals with lives that are full of mystery and characters flaws. It is a requirement of good film noir that no one is perfect. This become painfully obvious from the first frames, as we observe how even love might never be anything but flawed, feeble attempts at meeting the right person.The two main characters are introduced in a club where simple dates, relationships might develop. It's because of the director's sure hand, the writer's clever development of the story, and primarily an amazing set of lead performers that don't mind being led in impossible directions as we unravels the mystery.Two souls find love in the unlikeliest of places. They get to know each hesitantly. In a very ironic twist, lives are destroyed, literally and psychologically. This even before the end of the first act, when before mysteries are revealed, there is much to learn and try to understand.What are we witness to? a clueless group of people who might or not be involved some organized group, or is it just someone's hyperactive activity? Or is it just an old-fashioned ghost story? We take the same twisting turns in the movie we are watching. We pick a favorite, and we hope she or he is not involved with the masterminds who orchestra the murder of a policeman.It is challenging, frustrating, and a bit long, it keeps us watching, and we haven't seen this kind of pull in a movie for a long time.

I just got back from viewing a screening of this film at the 2009 TIFF. I am very glad that I went this year, because this was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had at the theatre in some time.The Double Hour was billed as a surreal thriller, so I was expecting something Lynchian. However, this film does not leave any loose ends. Any confusing parts come to a satisfying conclusion, and there are plenty of clues along the way that allow you to piece the story together.I also enjoyed how it is two movies in one, in a way. One is a scary, bewildering psychological thriller, and it is contained within an interconnected arc that is part crime drama and part character exploration, made rich by the well-written and well-acted characters.Standing out, obviously, is the main character, Sonia. She is a very attractive lead, both physically and as a performer, and carries the movie effectively.The direction of this film is intelligent and fast-paced. Quick cuts are used to jarring effect, and a slightly shaky, hand-held feeling creates a great deal of tension. Overall, I would recommend this film for fans of European movies, mysteries, thrillers and psychological dramas. It is very solid, put together well, and will leave you sated.