When watching movies from IFC, I normally expect 1 of two things within the first 2 minutes: 1) The movie sucks very bad. 2) The movie is alright. Only with two movies preceding this one (Wristcutters & The Good, the Bad, the Weird) have I, the whole way through, thought that an IFC movie was great.
Exam is about 8 people who are selected for a very secretive job interview who have rules to answer a question, a singular question, without contacting the interview leader, without making contact with the security guard at the door, without leaving and without “spoiling” their paper or they will be disqualified. The interview leader leaves and the applicants turn the paper they have over to read the question… but there is nothing written on the other side. Now, in 80 minutes, to get the job they’ve been working for for years, they must not only answer the question, but find out what it is.
Best Aspects: Acting was actually good, the writing was well done, and the plot was very unique and new. The twists and turns are good and light enough to take many in, and provide a generally good shape overall for the movie.
Bottom Line: A. One of the only good movies I have seen come from IFC. A must-see for a psychological thriller lover.
While I agree that the set-up for the film was good, the final resolution of the “What’s the Question” aspect left me wanting. While this is one of my favorite types of films in that the film maker sets up rules and watches as characters must follow those rules, the conclusion is near impossible to please all. I thought some of the acting come off like line reading and while the film was intriguing, it was instantly forgettable.
this is true now that some time has passed. The acting had some flaws, but it was mainly about the idea that shaped everything else. Everything was formed in place very well, and no one needed to die, and no explosions occurred. It was a simplistic, easy idea. But it worked.