Read User Reviews and Submit your own for The Call (2013)

8

DalekJul 12, 2013

A very good film, has an awesome thrilling feel to it. The situation is somewhat cleverly executed and the film itself is something a little different which I like. It could had been less of a cliché but despite that, this film is still worthA very good film, has an awesome thrilling feel to it. The situation is somewhat cleverly executed and the film itself is something a little different which I like. It could had been less of a cliché but despite that, this film is still worth watching.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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9

TVJerryMar 21, 2013

Halle Berry plays a 911 operator who gets a call from a girl (Abigail Breslin) trapped in the trunk by a kidnapper. Not only is this a nail-biting rescue, it becomes a police procedural as we watch the resources used to find the caller. MostHalle Berry plays a 911 operator who gets a call from a girl (Abigail Breslin) trapped in the trunk by a kidnapper. Not only is this a nail-biting rescue, it becomes a police procedural as we watch the resources used to find the caller. Most of the time, the film makes smart choices that keep you involved and sometimes even wanting to scream at the screen. The filmmaking is sharp with some flashy editing touches and solid sound design. Even though the conclusion is a bit much, up til then, it's a well-crafted, gripping ride.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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7

Forrestgump1Jun 4, 2013

"The Call is a somewhat intense, smart, but predictable edgy thriller. That actually makes you cringe a little bit. Although not unique or original in any way shape or form and its insanely forgettable. For the most part its that fun guilty"The Call is a somewhat intense, smart, but predictable edgy thriller. That actually makes you cringe a little bit. Although not unique or original in any way shape or form and its insanely forgettable. For the most part its that fun guilty pleasure." B… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

lukechristianscMar 15, 2014

i never saw a movie that Halle berry saves abgail breslin from a kidnap . i love the thrills and the watching halle berry save someone . great movie wonderful

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

CherryxldNov 23, 2014

The Call es una película que sin dudas logra mantener al público en suspenso a medida que avanza el film, con presión recurrente y mucho entretenimiento.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

JohnKristoferDec 25, 2014

Well,I love the first two acts of the film but seriously falls flat on the final act.The Call is suspenseful,Gritty and it thrills me so much but when the third act arrives the movie becomes silly and generic But still it's fun but theWell,I love the first two acts of the film but seriously falls flat on the final act.The Call is suspenseful,Gritty and it thrills me so much but when the third act arrives the movie becomes silly and generic But still it's fun but the movie is well executed and great performance of all the actors and actresses in it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

andrearomeroMay 27, 2018

I totally love the emotions that this film transmits to me, one of the few movies that I would see a thousand times.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

gt1967Jan 7, 2021

Superior underrated thriller. Well scripted acted and I for one liked the ending.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

James92Jun 5, 2020

This movie gets nowhere near the recognition that it deserves. Has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish and Halle Berry shines in her role here. Great movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

ThegodfathersonMar 16, 2013

The Call is a slow, gritty thriller because the end or the climax is wonderful and disappointing at the same time. This movie is so edge of your seat edgy, nail biting, bloody thriller. The Call deserves a 9 because its a wonderful thriller.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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5

RalphsReviewsApr 29, 2013

The first two acts of this film are great. It is intense, suspenseful and emotional. All the performances are good and it is very well paced. The problem comes when the third act starts. It turns from a twisted thriller into a dumb genericThe first two acts of this film are great. It is intense, suspenseful and emotional. All the performances are good and it is very well paced. The problem comes when the third act starts. It turns from a twisted thriller into a dumb generic "Silence of the Lambs" ripoff. I would recommend watching the movie and walking out an hour in.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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4

TheWalrus2000Mar 18, 2013

I feel like I wasted my time watching this movie since it was already unpopular. Halle Berry had a bad performance and scenes just go down in history forgettable. It wasn't total failure but it could have and should have been more than it was.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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7

tgreen81Mar 16, 2013

At a running time of 1 hour and 30 minutes the movie movies quick and if it was not for the final minutes of the film I would have given it a 8 of 10. Unfortunately, the absurd ending may be too much for some to handle, it really is overallAt a running time of 1 hour and 30 minutes the movie movies quick and if it was not for the final minutes of the film I would have given it a 8 of 10. Unfortunately, the absurd ending may be too much for some to handle, it really is overall worth the cost of admission.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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7

KivaJul 29, 2013

The call is a thriller about a 911 operator who gets a call of a girl who is kidnapped by a man in his car. It is a new idea and it is successful. The action and the plot are amazing. Abigail Breslin and Halle Berry were great and i thinkThe call is a thriller about a 911 operator who gets a call of a girl who is kidnapped by a man in his car. It is a new idea and it is successful. The action and the plot are amazing. Abigail Breslin and Halle Berry were great and i think this film should have more positive reviews as it is a quality thriller and you will not get bored. Great things happen in that film and it has some suspense. I don't really know if there is going to be a sequel but the Call is a great thriller.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

forTheNomSep 2, 2013

It was a good and exciting movie up until the last half hour where a 911 operator turns into high class detective discovering the location of the kidnapper. No cell signal where there was one in a previous scene, no cops at the location whichIt was a good and exciting movie up until the last half hour where a 911 operator turns into high class detective discovering the location of the kidnapper. No cell signal where there was one in a previous scene, no cops at the location which they knew and was the only lead they had. They were there, but then left just before ms. 911 shows up and solves everything in 5 minutes flat. Oh and the last scene makes NO sense at all. Hal Berry is great, but the ending leaves you staring at the credits while you shake your head and wonder why the writers decided that was the best way to go out. Still giving it a 5 for everything up until the end. Don't watch this one people, you'll be disappointed...… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

GreatMartinMar 15, 2013

Once you get past the unattractive Harpo Marx hairdo sported by Halle Berry in “The Call” the first 80 minutes of this 98 film presents an interesting thriller before it becomes a cliche of previous thrillers. At that point it falls apartOnce you get past the unattractive Harpo Marx hairdo sported by Halle Berry in “The Call” the first 80 minutes of this 98 film presents an interesting thriller before it becomes a cliche of previous thrillers. At that point it falls apart leaving more questions than answers but you really don’t want to waste time trying to figure out what just happened.

The screenplay by Richard D’Ovidio sets up the story of 911 star operator Jordan (Halle Berry) who makes a mistake and feels she is responsible for the death of a young kidnapped victim. Instead of continuing as an operator she now trains newcomers to the 911 center, known as ‘The Hive’ due to all the buzzing continuously going on of dispatchers answering phones with “911, what is your emergency?” and then following through to help solve them all from attempted suicides to a bat flying around in someone’s house. Jordan has a handsome police officer boyfriend, Paul Phillips, (Morris Chestnut) and with the help of some pills seems to have recovered from her previous experience only to once again be put in the same position. One of things she keeps telling the trainees is to never make promises to people on the other end of the line.

Casey Wilson (Abigail Breslin) has been kidnapped in a mall garage by Michael Foster (Michael Eklund) who carries on in the Norman Bates, Hannibal Lecter and/or “Buffalo Bill” disturbed mode of killer. He puts her in the trunk of his car and using a cell phone, (What did thrillers use before cell phones?), she calls 911 and when the operator seems to be fumbling Jordan takes over. In most thrillers logic has to be parked at the door before the movie starts and this is no different but the various ways in which Jordan advises Casey and the sadistic actions of Michael as he travels Los Angeles highways and byways makes for gripping times in the film before it takes a wrong turn and makes the women action heroines.

Berry does her usual efficient job while Breslin takes a huge step into being ready for adult roles Eklund goes from a serious, sadistic killer to, at times, the script making him an object of ridicule. Michael Imperioli as an innocent victim brings an element of surprise as does Jose Zuniga. The direction by Brad Anderson is more or less pedestrian while the music by John Debney plays with the emotions.

“The Call” is rated R with gratuitous violence, sex and language but being a good thriller the first 80 minutes before going off the tracks and falling into the mundane.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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6

analogkid280Mar 15, 2013

Hallie Berry shows her concerned side in this strange but interesting suspense fest. It sure is great with many clever ideas thrown out as Berry does her job. It just ends in such a weird note that while the credits rolled I decided to bumpHallie Berry shows her concerned side in this strange but interesting suspense fest. It sure is great with many clever ideas thrown out as Berry does her job. It just ends in such a weird note that while the credits rolled I decided to bump this rating down a notch. If you missed the last 30 minutes of the movie it gets an 8 otherwise its a 6 if you stayed and watched the whole thing. Why did the director do this I am so mad at him. So good and then, uuugh.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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3

bigfoot6463Mar 18, 2013

Worst acting by Hallie Berry I have ever seen. B rated movie not meant for big screen. OK plot is the only reason it got a 3 from me. With an ending that leaves your jaw dropped and you have to push it back into place because you justWorst acting by Hallie Berry I have ever seen. B rated movie not meant for big screen. OK plot is the only reason it got a 3 from me. With an ending that leaves your jaw dropped and you have to push it back into place because you just realized you got ripped off and want your money back. Worst ending that I can remember. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. I'M NOT EVEN WASTING ANY MORE TIME ON THIS MOVIE REVIEW. IF YOU WASTE YOUR MONEY AND SEE IT DONT SAY YOU WERNT WARNED.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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0

NoxiousJun 20, 2013

How dare this movie have a 6.6 from the users and 50's from the critics. This piece of dog crud should be laughed about. The ending was stupid, the fact no one checked the cabin, she drops her phone, and doesn't finish him real good beforeHow dare this movie have a 6.6 from the users and 50's from the critics. This piece of dog crud should be laughed about. The ending was stupid, the fact no one checked the cabin, she drops her phone, and doesn't finish him real good before he helps her. Too many retarded things happened.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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4

TetsuoMay 5, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This has a good premise on how 911 operators work. The first act sets up nicely, the second act goes smoothly and the final act jumps the shark. Once you know the antagonist's motive it becomes ludicrous that it become an episode of Criminal Minds.

Brad Anderson is a good director, who did The Machinist and Transsiberian which were good thrillers; it's a shame he had to work with a script that doesn't know how to have a proper finale.

Halle Berry doesn't even call the cops and instead goes vigilante on us. Once you think she manages to rescue the girl, the captive sugget to have the guy tied to a chair and lock him inside the hidden cellar. Sudden it has turned into a Hostel wannabe. This final act and ending ruined what could of been a tense thriller instead it becomes a 90-minute disappointed that doesn't give you a feeling of satisfaction.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

ZilcellMar 17, 2013

Remember movies like "House at the End of the Street" or "Gone", which lacked in character development, acting, and believable tone? Remember their misguided and incoherent endings that lacked any wit? Well, i'd say that "The Call" has muchRemember movies like "House at the End of the Street" or "Gone", which lacked in character development, acting, and believable tone? Remember their misguided and incoherent endings that lacked any wit? Well, i'd say that "The Call" has much more wit and believability. It suffers from a lot of important plot elements that could have been added and maybe the supporting characters could have been put to better use, but this film is a treat in a genre that has recently had a lot of repetitive and lazy flicks.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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9

oblique15Nov 30, 2013

Great movie, Not one dull moment, keeps you waiting to see what happens.Makes you want to do something to help. The bad guy on this movie is twisted.My only problem with "The Call" is at the very end, but it wasn't a big issue.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

aaronmwolfordMar 17, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I must admit I went into this film skeptical, however the trailer was intriguing so I gave it and chance. Halle Berry makes this movie exceptionally convincing and delivers an emotional punch. I will warn you if you are suffering from anxiety you need not watch "The Call." So many times I shifted forward in my seat in suspense, while biting my nails. Now with all of the positives this film does shove a few pins through my heart. 3/4 of the movie excels as a thriller, but in a blink of an eye were running upstairs when we should be running out the front door. The thriller quickly turns into a horror film and this is where the film loses me. We are given a "Saw" ending?! As the director, Brad Anderson had everything going for him, but gives up on the ending and it is extremely disheartening. In a nut shell "The Call" is a fun, outlandish, and suspenseful treat that is worthy of a matinee ticket.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

mtoonsJun 29, 2013

Way to much of using a stupid tricks to given some shock? Not at all but no gut. If the film want to press the audience into corner just like Silence of The Lambs. It's a shame. You have to work harder and more original stuff that make senseWay to much of using a stupid tricks to given some shock? Not at all but no gut. If the film want to press the audience into corner just like Silence of The Lambs. It's a shame. You have to work harder and more original stuff that make sense please. While watching this film. I have a lot of questions that lead to unreliable plot.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

FirebalaSep 26, 2013

If this was not the end yet, I would say that it stands out from the average, but it's unfortunately only one of many, and did not start badly, but then the ending

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

Who_are_youNov 16, 2013

Surprisingly well written, suspenseful, intelligent, ok acting… then the third act unbelievably contrived, ridiculous, 7-in-a-row of the dumbest decisions ever made, worthy of the intellect of a 5-year-old, from a supposedly intelligentSurprisingly well written, suspenseful, intelligent, ok acting… then the third act unbelievably contrived, ridiculous, 7-in-a-row of the dumbest decisions ever made, worthy of the intellect of a 5-year-old, from a supposedly intelligent character, in order to end with a half-decent epilogue that didn't particularly fit with the rest of the film.

Wouldn't be surprised if the third act had a different author from the rest of a “half-decent” film.

Left me regretting the time spent watching the first ⅔rds.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

jppl1999Mar 27, 2015

6 heading to 5 just because of one thing: the ending. This movie, at least for me, its worth 7 or 8, but the ending, the useless, nonsense ending, almost destroys all the work and, lets call "progress", that was built before it. Why didn't6 heading to 5 just because of one thing: the ending. This movie, at least for me, its worth 7 or 8, but the ending, the useless, nonsense ending, almost destroys all the work and, lets call "progress", that was built before it. Why didn't they just finished the traditional way where they escape and call for help? I don't know; but sometimes you just have accept it the way it is: sh*t happens.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

DCEdmondsNov 13, 2014

"The Call" 10 Scale Rating: 6.0 (Decent) ...

The Good: I typically loathe Halle Berry as an actress, but she was solid here. A gimmicky high-concept film, but for three quarters of the film it is very well done and keeps your interest."The Call" 10 Scale Rating: 6.0 (Decent) ...

The Good: I typically loathe Halle Berry as an actress, but she was solid here. A gimmicky high-concept film, but for three quarters of the film it is very well done and keeps your interest. Despite the simplistic nature of the premise and plot, it is initially a fairly gripping tale.

The Bad: ... then it degenerates into something else entirely. Once Berry leaves the call center, the film takes a nose dive. After coasting along for an hour, the last thirty minutes are pretty standard fare ... and not overly good standard fare at that. The movie's villain, once fully revealed and explained, wasn't all that interesting.… Expand

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2

MovieManiac83Apr 22, 2015

Labeling The Call as "relentlessly dumb" would be an overestimation of its intelligence. This is as brain-dead as a movie can be and it assumes the audience will have the I.Q. of a rutabaga. I suspected I might be in trouble when the openingLabeling The Call as "relentlessly dumb" would be an overestimation of its intelligence. This is as brain-dead as a movie can be and it assumes the audience will have the I.Q. of a rutabaga. I suspected I might be in trouble when the opening credits proudly proclaim that The Call is a "WWE Production." Uh-oh. Granted, I wasn't expecting a high-caliber art film (although, once upon a time, Brad Anderson was an indie director - The Machinist, anyone?) but the WWE isn't exactly known for gripping storylines and well-developed characters. The pedigree runs true.

Things don't start out too badly. In fact, they begin with a whiff of verisimilitude. I don't know what a 911 call center looks like but I can believe it's something similar to what's shown in The Call. We're introduced to operator Jordan Turner (Halle Berry), who appears to be one of the best at what she does. Things take a turn for the worse for Jordan, however, when a caller is kidnapped as a result of a mistake Jordan makes. After the initial call is disconnected while the victim is hiding from her stalker, Jordan foolishly hits the "dial back" button and the ringing of the phone alerts the intruder to the girl's location. After this incident, Jordan takes herself off the active roster and becomes a 911 instructor - until she's pressed back into emergency duty.

The Call goes off the rails as it approaches the climax. Once the call with Casey is terminated at a critical juncture, Jordan decides to take matters into her own hands. So, distrusting the police department's ability to get the job done, she goes on a one-woman hunt for the missing girl and, incredibly, finds her! Yes, she's a regular Ms. Sherlock Holmes. Then, upon discovering the psycho's lair, does she call for backup? No - she don't need no stinkin' backup! (The screenplay's lame attempt to provide logic for this decision is a laughably absurd.) Horror movie scream queens everywhere would welcome Jordan into their ranks. She commits all the classic idiot-blunders of those characters including the biggest one of all: turning her back on a supposed "downed" killer. Now, we all know that these guys always get up. Doesn't she watch Jason Michael Krueger movies?

I am willing to credit The Call for one thing. In the sea of mediocre movies represented by the first quarter of the year, this successfully calls attention to itself by being just plain bad.… Expand

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5

CineAutoctonoJan 11, 2016

The Call" was a little monotonous intense and dramatic movie , but the story and the perfomance as Haley Berry, dazzled in this film. The script is very good, exepcional theme, but the rest was a bit vague.

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6

DevilmathSep 27, 2015

At a first glance, "The Call" might seem like a minor work, destined to arouse interest only after its DVD release, and to be watched absent-mindedly during an autumn afternoon. Not that it tries to be subtle, or pretends to be meaningful:At a first glance, "The Call" might seem like a minor work, destined to arouse interest only after its DVD release, and to be watched absent-mindedly during an autumn afternoon. Not that it tries to be subtle, or pretends to be meaningful: “The Call” is action, jump scares, petty suspense; it’s built to entertain the viewer for its 92 minutes of running time, and sell a lot of popcorn. Don’t underestimate it though, it will surprise you.
The film tells the story of Jordan (Halle Berry), a 911 operator at the Los Angeles Police Department. She works in the “Hive”, a police nest where the buzz of emergency calls never stops, 24/7. One day, realising that she has lost her control and objectivity during a call ended in tragedy, Jordan decides to give up the headset and pick up the training of new recruits. But six months later, while leading a tour of the Hive with a group of wannabe operators, she ends up handling a call from Casey (Abigail Breslin), a teenager kidnapped by a ruthless and psychotic killer (Michael Eklund), and locked in the trunk of his car racing towards certain death. Unfortunately the film doesn’t show what happens with the job applicants, but I like to interpret it as a metaphor for how best to weigh the pros and cons of a new job, and then eventually withdraw your application.
After niche films like “The Machinist” and “Transsiberian” and a lot of TV work, director Brad Anderson returns to cinema to give personality to a script that, on its own, would hardly make an interesting film. Contrarily to his previous work, which shows Anderson’s passion for Hitchcockian situations and atmospheres, “The Call” is marked by a more commercial and easy-going style. Predictably, the characters adhere to the genre’s standard, at the expense of the film’s credibility: their personalities are light years away from the complexity of Christian Bale’s Trevor Reznik in “The Machinist”. “The Call” prefers to focus on keeping tension high throughout the film, using gimmicks that are all-but-new but still effective, easily keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. And although the interpretations are just good enough to fit the level of action and thrills set by the mediocre script, it’s impossible not to notice the director’s skills. His talent shines through every shot, particularly in the grueling and never-ending second act, where a terrified Casey, locked in the car’s trunk, is on the phone with Jordan. That’s when drama escalates.
The film then takes the unexpected turn nobody asked for: a “Silence Of The Lambs”-like twist of plot that appears shockingly unintelligent and involuntarily hilarious. I won’t spoil the ending, but the astonishment it provokes is worth experiencing on your own skin. This finale, so illogical and grotesque, jeopardises the reputation of what could have been a discrete film, but at the same time turns it into an unmissable guilty pleasure. And that’s how a mostly forgettable feature, made with good intentions but without great ideas, instantly becomes a cult. One of the final shots, with the bad guy lying at the bottom of a pit, the good guys towering above him, and the American flag towering over them, is a truly remarkable page in the history of trash moments in cinema.… Expand

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6

BroyaxJan 9, 2017

Un thriller dans les coulisses du "911", le numéro d'urgence américain qui en voit défiler des vertes et des pas mûres (rien que du très classique au pays de la violence) jusqu'à ce qu'une opératrice se retrouve mêlée et emmêlée dans uneUn thriller dans les coulisses du "911", le numéro d'urgence américain qui en voit défiler des vertes et des pas mûres (rien que du très classique au pays de la violence) jusqu'à ce qu'une opératrice se retrouve mêlée et emmêlée dans une affaire d'enlèvement par un atroce psychopathe.

Halle Berry s'en tire honorablement, il s'agit d'une actrice de bonne volonté, adepte généralement des mentions "assez bien" ici et là. La belette qui se fait enlever, que dis-je, l'épouvantable bécasse tape prodigieusement sur les nerfs par contre. J'attendais en fait avec impatience que l'affreux la découpe pour mettre fin à cette agitation hystérique permanente.

C'est assez dommage, car une bonne moitié du film exploite très habilement cet enlèvement téléphonique et la recherche qui en découle ; la dernière partie devient cependant trop classique et sans surprise, se bornant à rester dans les clous du thriller hollywoodien syndical.

La mise en scène malgré quelques errements (caméra agitée, montage téléscopé) s'avère assez efficace et le rythme demeure assez soutenu. Un film assez bon, tout compte fait, mais auquel il manque pas mal de choses pour devenir vraiment bon.… Expand

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5

DeanomiteJan 13, 2020

Too corny too melodramatic. It just did not appeal to me. I like Halle Barry (her best was Gothika and John Wick 3). I like the director Brad Anderson, but the only movie I like of his is The Machinist.

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7

Pan_KrytykMay 15, 2022

dobry film na wieczór.... dzieki temu zaczalem sobie zdawac prace jak praca operatora jest kurde trudna i ciezka

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9

TheQuietGamerSep 9, 2013

An impressive thriller. It's tense, brutal, features a original idea, and, up until the very end, has believable moments and characters who act and make decisions like real people would. I have to give special praise to Halle Berry who givesAn impressive thriller. It's tense, brutal, features a original idea, and, up until the very end, has believable moments and characters who act and make decisions like real people would. I have to give special praise to Halle Berry who gives a fantastic performance rather than just relying on her looks. This is also do to the fantastic writing. The only real complaint I have is that near the films conclusion it takes the predictable turn of the main character going in to save the girl by herself. It's predictable and cliche, but doesn't hinder the overall movie. All in all I was highly impressed with "The Call" and recommend a watch.… Expand