The Perfect Host (2010)

Directed by: Nick Tomnay | 90 minutes | comedy, crime, thriller | Actors: David Hyde Pierce, Clayne Crawford, Tyrees Allen, Coopers Barnes, Megahn Perry, Annie Campbell, Helen Reddy, Indira G. Wilson, George Cheung, Brooke Anderson, Cheryl Francis Harrington, Amanda Payton, Joseph Will, Nathaniel Parker, Greg Brown , Mike Foy, Tracy Britton, Daisy Castro, Lynda Valliche, Hayden Victor

David Hyde Pierce (Niles Crane, brother of Frasier from the comedy series of the same name) as a ‘creepy character’? Hard to imagine, isn’t it? And yet he pulls it off in ‘The Perfect Host’ directed by Nick Tomnay. Hyde Pierce plays Warwick Wilson, a perfect host. Although, a host with a few loose stitches here and there. Petty criminal John Taylor (Clayne Crawford) finds out when, injured in the foot after an unfortunate bank robbery, he rings Warwick’s doorbell with an excuse. Warwick, who is preparing a dinner for several guests, lets Taylor in and from that moment on a psychological game of cat and mouse begins between the two.

What is real and what is not? The viewer is constantly misled and Taylor, stunned and overwhelmed, tries with all his might to discover what drives host Wilson. Freaky Warwick who makes Taylor’s life miserable with the explanation: “You’re my guest. I’m glad you’re here, but this is your own fault.” In the background, two police inspectors, Morton (played by Nathaniel Parker, indeed: Inspector Lynley) and Valdez, are looking for bank robber Taylor. It turns out that there is EVEN more to the story than first thought. When Taylor and his girlfriend Simone are spotted in a parking garage, the story seems to come to an end for the hapless bank robber. But, as said, it seems… He has one last trump up his sleeve and that means that Warwick will have to work again as ‘perfect host’ (“Red or white wine?”).

It’s amusing to watch the predator become prey and the story takes a completely different turn several times, but still the viewer is left with a bit of a catty feeling. You have to immediately go along with the “weird” events, the fantasies of Warwick, otherwise you are probably lost right away.

Because of its setting, playing almost entirely in one location, ‘The Perfect Host’ has a slow tempo. It’s a bit like a play. The two protagonists are doing reasonably well, but there is still something of ‘overkill’ gnawing at the role of Hyde Pierce. He’s a little too eager to show us that he can even play Niles in the magnifying kick. Furthermore, the supporting roles are of not noteworthy level and the story, despite the plot twists, is not always logical. A plus is that after watching ‘The Perfect Host’ you will undoubtedly be left with a few question marks. What about…? But he knew that…? How fantasy can make your mind run wild. Is everyone in your immediate environment who you think they are? Intriguing, but – due to the sloppy loose ends – not worked out well enough.