Film Review: Exam

Sunday, August 8, 2010 Posted by dueng
Hye there. Was busy, here and there..the usual stuff. However, still managed to slip in one great movie. The movie title Exam. First of all, it's not about usual assessment of student but rather "job interview" kind of exam. The synopsis as follows:

Eight talented candidates have reached the final stage of selection to join the ranks of a mysterious and powerful corporation. Entering a windowless room, a man gives them eighty minutes to answer one simple question. He outlines three rules they must obey or be disqualified: don't talk to him or the armed guard by the door, don't spoil their papers and don't leave the room. He starts the clock and leaves. The candidates turn over their question papers, only to find they're completely blank. After the initial confusion has subsided, one frustrated candidate writes 'I believe I deserve...,' and is promptly ejected for spoiling.

Source: Wikipedia

My Review:

WARNING: May contain spoilers. Read at your own discretion.

1) I just love movies that wasn't use normal name for character name. Instead, they used places, colors, ethnicity etc to represent character. This movie used it extensively. (e.g. of other movies: Zombieland, Reservoir Dogs).

2) This movie that plays with lots of dialog. Don't get me wrong, it could be freaking boring at times at some other movies but well written lines in this movie could be very interesting to watch.

3) Exam using a small-space concept and focusing on the conflict rather than having broad set. The "exam" take place in a room that could accommodate around 20 people. Just like Phone booth and 12 Angry Men.

4) Twisted ending was my favorite thing. It could set you aback and keep make you thinking about the ending. It's the best part of a movie but it should be unpredictable cause otherwise it would be suck. The ending keep you thinking, I didn't see that coming.

5) Conflict and office politics. Everything summed up nicely in this movie, which make you said, Uhhhahh...I think I had seen this happened before. In real life I mean.

6) The revelation. Although I dig twisted ending, knowing the progress of the event and explanation bout it rather soothing. I appreciate the hint but seriously, you can't get enough of hint when you watch it the first time. By helping the audience understand the event and progress of it, it could create understanding and left no space for own interpretation. Otherwise, it would be not so favorable and understandable to the mass. I beg to differ in the case of Inception though.

7) Strong, in-the-character actor. I don't mind not so famous actors as long as the cast could really act. In this movie, the cast strongly brought up their character to the surface and having fun doing it. It's such a waste that the winner of the Exam wasn't a character that get much of screen time or witty dialogue but it would be perfect for the development of the story anyway.

All in all, the storyline was strong and justifiable though the ending might get you into argument. In that defense, I would like to stress that the candidate had gone so much and given the rules of the Invigilator, who would dare to spoil their chance by answering it anyway - too much at stake to be spoiled by smart ass move. I see the ending just mere wrap up to the story and a justification on how do they doing it that way, you're not supposed to dispute about it anyway cause the most interesting part is the conflict rather than the ending.

Anyhow, my most favorable character would be Brown. He's sadistic and generally most smart of all of them. Download it and enjoy it. If you already watch it or have something to say, please share it at comment box.

p/s: It's a British movie.
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