Plot: What’s it about?
A serial killer is on a murderous rampage, as the maniac known as Tearjerk Jack stalks the streets. But his reign of terror could soon be over, as one of his victims managed to escape. The lone survivor of his madness, Anna (Milla Jovovich) would seem to be the key to his capture, but it isn’t that simple. The encounter with Tearjerk Jack traumatized her deeply and left her afflicted with a condition called face blindness. She can’t remember what the killer’s face looked like, but she also can’t recognize most anyone, leaving her in a most fragile state. When she looks at someone, even a person she knows quite well, it is as if she is seeing that person’s face for the first time. She is able to work with a dedicated detective (Julian McMahon) however, as she tries to recapture the memory of the killer. As she endures the disorientation and confusion from her condition, can Anna put the pieces back together in her mind, or will Tearjerk Jack’s mayhem continue?
I was looking forward to Faces in the Crowd, as Milla Jovovich has been focused on action movies of late, so I wanted to see her return to more character driven cinema. The film itself delivers a solid overall experience, though Jovovich doesn’t seem like a good fit for the lead. She is competent, but fails to elicit the kind of connection the film required, so we’re left not all that interested in how things turn out. This is a shame since the story is rock solid and most of the cast is quite good, so perhaps if Jovovich were replaced, Faces in the Crowd could have been much more effective. That’s not to say it doesn’t work however, as the movie is still good at times and never comes off as bad in the least. Julian McMahon is better than I expected, while the supporting cast is also good and helps balance out Jovovich’s mediocre turn. The potential for a very good movie is here, but the film needed a strong lead and while she is talented, Jovovich just wasn’t the right fit. Even so, Faces in the Crowd has a lot of good moments and as such, still earns a solid recommendation.
Video: How does it look?
Faces in the Crowd is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a clean, clear visual treatment that handles all the film’s need. I wouldn’t call it remarkable, but it looks good and shows no errors. The image has good detail, accurate colors, and consistent contrast. I am sure the film looks better in HD, but as far as DVD goes, the movie looks just fine.
Audio: How does it sound?
A Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is on deck, which sounds good, but isn’t memorable. Given the potential for added tension, more creative use of the surrounds would have been welcome. As it stands, the surrounds are rarely used and even when in use, the presence is rather flat. But the dialogue is clear and clean, so that is good news. This disc also includes Spanish and English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release includes a behind the scenes featurette, as well as a digital copy of the film for portable devices.
