As the saying goes well begun is half done? This although is not the case always, indeed it is this time with Oscar winner Hilary Swanks THE RESIDENT. Written by Antti J Jokinen and Robert Orr THE RESIDENT is the story of Juliet ( Hilary Swank) a New Yorker who is in search for an apartment and winds up in crazy Ville! Sincerely speaking quite sounds quite like one of those common plots? However it is what it is. Juliet looks around until quite by chance she runs into Max. Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) who is looking to rent out an apartment in a building he owns and lives in is quite eager to make Juliet his tenant, besides Juliet is comforting on the eyes. Although the plot is not a distinctive one, the placid twist does intrigue a certain sense of suspense., especially when Juliet starts turning up to work late and she feels it’s something to do with the apartment!!!!!
An Oscar is the greatest achievement to be bestowed upon an actress. Also an Oscar can draw a lot of negative attention. This is common in whatever field you are. The pressure of maintaining and being consistent once you have reached a certain pinnacle is indeed a challenge. A challenge that is justly accepted by Hilary Swank and is craftily executed I feel. A performance does not need to be dramatic always in order for it to be seen as successful. An evident controlled under played performance in THE RESIDENT is as good as an outright theatrical one. However does it draw a negative vibe? In my eyes; it does not seem to, yet this is statement is entirely subjective. Jeffery Dean Morgan most certainly does not follow the same approach in his portrayal of Max. He plays an all-out Max, however he is restrained in his performance due to the lack of growth in a poorly written plot. This brings me to the most crucial aspect of the entire movie; the script. With a thrilling start, I was convinced that THE RESIDENT is for sure a mind blowing experience. Instead right at the best point the script loses all its mojo. In fact it felt as if Antti J Jokinen and Robert Orr did not know how to carry the script further and keep it unique, instead they had a writer’s block and then they decided the following…..“Why not end it like that other movie?”…… If you ever decide to watch this movie, I am certain at one point in time, you will simply ask yourself what just happened there. I really wish I was able to elaborate further however I do not wish to spoil the movie to you readers. (HINT – watch out for the part where they use some special effects and jump to the start and back to the middle, this is where the good stuff ends). Antti J Jokinen as a writer/ director should have sensed this flaw, the cast should have sensed this flaw, unless there is something massive that I have missed, this is where the movie loses its star ratings. If I am to take a jab and point fingers, it’s most definitely in the direction of Antti J Jokinen and Robert Orr. You gentleman gave a brilliant beginning however just did not see it all through. A worthy effort for those new within the realms of Hollywood?
A movie that I would have said you must watch; now I would rather say is waste of time. With some brilliant thriller potential and a magnificent cast, maybe next time they would get it right!
Title: The Resident
Directed by: Antti J Jokinen
Starring: Hilary Swank, Jeffery Dean Morgan & Christopher Lee
Rated: R for violence, language and brief sexuality/ nudity
Rated:4.5/10
91 Minutes