8MM (1999)

Directed by: Joel Schumacher | 123 minutes | crime, thriller | Actors: Nicolas Cage, Joaquin Phoenix, James Gandolfini, Peter Stormare, Anthony Heald, Chris Bauer, Catherine Keener, Myra Carter, Amy Morton, Jenny Powell, Anne Gee Byrd, Jack Betts, Luis Oropeza, Rachel Singer, Don Creech

The story of ‘8MM’ was written by Andrew Kevin Walker. This writer was also responsible for the screenplay behind ‘Se7en’ (David Fincher). Walker’s hand is very prominent. Also in ‘8MM’ there is the same, gloomy atmosphere. As in Fincher’s film, director Schumacher’s film is also reminiscent of the work of writer/director Paul Schrader.

Schrader particularly scored in the 1970s with screenplays for bleak films such as ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘Raging Bull’. Unlike the majority of Hollywood productions, these films had no real heroes, happy scenes and liberating humor. Schrader’s stories were set at the bottom of society. Desolate neighborhoods and disillusioned characters populated his films. With the script by writer Andrew Kevin Walker, these atmospheric drawings seem to be gaining interest again. ‘Se7en’ and ‘8MM’ are modern films that could easily belong in the list of Schrader’s classic films.

Joel Schumacher put in an excellent performance. ‘8MM’ is nothing like his earlier work. The German director is clearly much better at handling smaller productions than large, big-budget films. His previous two Batman films were a real mockery, with this film he takes revenge.

The cast of ‘8MM’ plays beautiful roles. Nicholas Cage delivers a believable transformation. From the doting father at the beginning of the film, to a vengeful wreck at the end, it’s very believable. A less gifted actor could not have portrayed this rather implausible change so realistically. Cage receives excellent counterplay from young talent Joaquin Phoenix. The young actor plays a failed rock artist, who helps Welles in his search for the origin of the snuff film. His loose playing seems a bit out of place to the rest of the cast at first, but fits wonderfully well with the overall feel of the film. His playing lends some (necessary) lightness to the production. Perhaps the best portrayed role is that of James Gandolfini. Despite the fact that his role is in fact no more than a kind of caricature of an in-and-in-bad character, he manages to turn it into a charismatic ‘bad guy’. A no small feat. It is a pleasure to watch him. The same can be said about Peter Stormare who plays the porn filmmaker Dino Velvet. Stormare’s maniacal play fits his role perfectly. All in all a top cast.

‘8MM’ has become a dark film. Both content and visual. The theme of the story puts a heavy stamp on the film. Namely the why. What drives people to their actions? Has the world become immoral? Doesn’t anyone care about anyone else anymore? This gloomy atmosphere is consistently continued throughout the film. That makes ‘8MM’ a heavy and difficult film. It grabs you by the throat and won’t let go. It’s not an easy movie, but a movie like those that haven’t been made for a long time.

‘8MM’ is a thought-provoking film, something that unfortunately doesn’t happen too often anymore.