THE HOLE (2001)
DVD Review by David Blackwell
DETAILS: 102 minutes, 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, nine deleted scenes, Cast and Director Bios, Image Gallery, Director
commentary, theatrical trailer
STUDIO: DIMENSION/ PATHE FILMS
RELEASE DATE 10/19/2004
ANALYSIS: THE HOLE was finished in 2001. Dimension purchased the North American rights over two years ago, and they held
it back from being released like some other Miramax (and Dimension) titles. Finally THE HOLE sees release on DVD (with no
theatrical release).
The movie is interesting, but it does get boring in places for the first hour. The last 40 minutes had me forming a love/hate
relationship with THE HOLE. If you want to see Keira Knightley be a complete bitch and flash her tits, you want to check this
one out.
THE HOLE (based on the novel- "After The Hole" by Guy Burt) is about four prep school students who end up locked in an
abandoned bomb shelter. One of them, Liz (Thora Birch), shows up at the prep school 18 days later. She tells a tale of what
happened and yet it may not be the truth. A psychriatrist, Dr. Philippa Horwood(Embeth Davidtz), tries to find out what happened
to Liz and her friends during those 18 days since they were last seen (Liz wanted to get it on with the hot American guy (Desmond
Harrington) who just wants Frankie (Keira Knightley)). The police have their eyes on Martyn Taylor, a fellow student
at Liz's prep school.
THE HOLE does have some story problems. I have no sympathy for the one of the characters by the end of the movie as I would
like to see that character bite the dust. The movie gives away what happened to the friends at the middle of the movie. The
flashback method of story sometimes works against the suspense that THE HOLE is trying to build. It was an interesting (but
flawed) thriller.
VIDEO/AUDIO: THE HOLE is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The colors are good and the blacks are solid (up to
a point).
In additional to the English Dolby Digital surround track, there is a French language track and English captions for the
hearing impaired. Dialogue comes through clearly. The excellent music score can be heard wonderfully.
SPECIAL FEATURES: THE HOLE has some special features. It is kind of weird that the direct-to-video DVD have more features
than the theatrical movies coming out on DVD.
Nine deleted scenes (9 1/2 minutes total) in 2.35:1 show some interesting scenes that got cut including more scenes with
the psychiatrist and an ending they didn't use. The Image Gallery is useless as it is a one minute slideshow of production
stills that are zooomed in and out. Cast and Crew bios (and filmographies) are on the DVD for the three top billed actors
and the director. Also included is the theatrical trailer for THE HOLE.
The director's commentary has Nick Hamm talking about the scenes while telling some production info at times.
FINAL ANALYSIS: THE HOLE is a psychological thriller that people will love or hate. If you're looking for an alternative
to the big budget movies coming to DVD, rent THE HOLE. If you love it, buy it on DVD.
this DVD Review is (c)10-22-2004 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
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