Tall Man, The (2012) [Blu-ray]
Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline: Fear takes a new shape.

In an isolated, slowly dying mining town, children are vanishing without a trace - abducted, the townsfolk whisper, by a mysterious entity known locally as "The Tall Man." Town nurse Julia Denning (Jessica Biel, Total Recall, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) seems skeptical... until her young David disappears in the middle of the night. Frantic to rescue the boy, Julia lives every parent's darkest nightmare in this twisting, shock-around-each-corner thriller from acclaimed director Pascal Laugies (Martyrs).

Storyline: This film is about a legend that has been started by the town folk of Cold Rock. Since the children in the town have been going missing, people have said it's an entity known as 'The Tall Man' who has been taking them. Julia Denning ('Jessica Biel' ) is the local nurse whose husband died years earlier. She is soon personally involved as her child is taken. She tries to track down where the child is taken, but finds that there's more to what's happening than she knew. The towns-folk start to turn on her and the truth comes out. But there's still more to the story--who is 'The Tall Man'? And what is the truth behind the disappearances? Written by Michael Hallows Eve

User Comment: *** This review may contain spoilers *** moviewizguy from United States, 20 June 2012 • THE TALL MAN is directed by Pascal Laugier, who directed MARTYRS. From that sentence alone, you're probably already formulating expectations that this will be a bloody, nasty, little horror film starring Jessica Biel. In fact, you can't be any more wrong. The most important thing you need to know about this film before seeing it is that it's NOT a horror film. It's more of a mystery thriller/drama. The second important thing is to avoid all and potential spoilers. I went in knowing very little about the film (other than its basic storyline), and the end result is that much better. Early reviews for THE TALL MAN suggests that it's a horrible film, but I'm pretty sure the negative reception had more to do with people expecting it to be a full-fledged horror flick rather than its actual quality. In fact, I'm afraid the film's fall would be due to people's expectations.

If there is one similarity between MARTYRS and this film, it would be the presence of an underlying social commentary. Other than that, the similarity ends there. Jessica Biel, the lead actress, pulls off a phenomenal performance. She brings incredible conviction to her role that she holds our attention. The film is also shot beautifully, and director Laugier does a masterful job keeping people guessing until the very end. Overall, the film is likely to polarize the audience like Laugier did with MARTYRS. However, if you leave your expectations at the door and your mind opened, you may be left surprised and profoundly moved.

Summary: It's not a horror film!

User Comment: julie the Strange from France, 18 June 2012 • I won't tell a damn thing about the plot. It'd be criminal. I finally watched the long expected Tall Man in Cannes... Wow... I just can't understand the few reserved US reviews published on the net. This movie is amazingly brilliant. Absolutely not what I had in mind... Laugier surprised me constantly... I found his new work totally original, personal and unique. It's also visually gorgeous!!! By the end of the movie, I was moved, shaken, stunned... I had to think about it a lot... It's still staying in my mind... How many films do that? Definitely from the same french genius who wrote and directed Martyrs. The Tall Man is a whole experience...So don't listen to the few horror fans who didn't get it. The Tall Man is not horror and is not gory... Who cares? It's just a wonderful (and completely twisted) emotional thriller that make you feel and think... Also, you have never seen Jessica Biel that good... Man, I adored this movie... Pascal rocks!

Summary: The Tall Man rocks.. I just adored it.

User Comment: tzrjustbrowsing, 29 July 2012 • This movie has a very interesting idea behind it. I have no clue to why it is only rated 5 on IMDb, but this should definitely be rated a 7 or higher. All I have to say is that this has an original story and it does portray a crude truth about the world we live in.

This is a rely good way to spend your evening if you want to watch something mind-blowing. The movie is not at all predictable, the acting is beyond perfect, it actually makes you think this is an X-Files movie where the next best thing is something you don't believe it would be possible.

I give it a 10 because this one will go into my favorite list.

Summary: Original.

[CSW] -3.3- "The Tall Man" shows Laugier (the Director) is a skilled filmmaker that can turn the tables on you and surprise you at will. He makes you think you're watching something, and that you know exactly what's going on... then proves just how wrong you are. The story begins in the desolate, rural town of Cold Rock, WA., a dying town where the children are disappearing at an alarming rate and a supernatural figure known as the Tall Man is held responsible. A recently widowed doctor's wife and nurse is suddenly thrust in the middle of this urban legend when her son is abducted in the middle of the night. To say anymore would be to ruin a really intense viewing where the rug is pulled out from under you many times and you won't see it coming. Yes, it's more of a thriller then a horror film but, Laugier keeps you guessing and keeps you surprised and gives us something quite different but, no less effective. I'm not sure that I totally agree with the moral conclusion, as a matter of fact I'm pretty sure that I don't, but it was so skillfully presented and had me guessing (unfortunately or fortunately) wrongly so much of the way that my only recommendation is for you to watch it yourself, and if you're a thinking person I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
[V4.5-A4.0] MPEG-4 AVC - No D-Box.

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