adj-699-887746
When I first read the rather daunting reviews here, I was a little iffy about watching it, but I decided to take the plunge. What I discovered was a little gem--an atmospherically dark, moody, journey that builds in suspense to a rather thrilling climax.I think the pace was good though perhaps just a wee bit too slow for some. Coming off of another film where the action sequences hit you virtually non-stop roller-coaster fashion, it might even seem sluggish, but to me this was more than offset by the visually attractive elements of the film, some great camera work, and some very worthy acting.Some have stated that they found the story-line vague, but I didn't at all--if you follow the dialog, it is obvious what is happening, and the end is rather thrilling. I would have preferred that the character of the "disheveled man" (read 'Mad Doctor' and also *secret* someone else in the film) had been better developed, but it seems the writers wanted our lack of knowledge about him through the body of the film to be held as more of a surprise--a part that was both eerily and excellently portrayed by Jack Erdie.I've always enjoyed Bill Sadler's work--he's another Scotty Glenn in that he's such a flexible, utilitarian actor--though his cameo here was too short.I think it's now in vogue for people to dis Val Kilmer--he's getting older and fatter--but he lends his weight (seriously--no pun intended) to his part and is at least credible (as always). My only wince during the film was when, after a burst of threatening anger, he suddenly, calmly, admonishes his daughter and her friends for being together, warns them not to do it again, then drives off business-as-usual, when any other Sheriff/father would have been far more aggressive and not so instantly calmed.The big surprise for me was the excellent work by virtually all the supporting actors--character development was as good as their screen-time allowed, but the actors had both depth and presence in every scene. I think this one fact really made the movie for me. Perhaps it was, in some cases, the dearth of dialog which, a la Alan Parker/Kubric-style, helps to build suspense and add depth. I think they are all responsible, in working with such a script, for delivering a solid movie experience. I simply cannot find fault in any of the acting--all were on beat throughout.Elisabeth Harnois also gave a credible and professional performance in the lead role--at least as good as other actors with her age and experience--I had no problems at all in believing in her character, or anyone else's in this film. What I thought might be an awkward moment in the scene transition from her brother's disappearance to her crying in the parking lot explained itself away when we recognize her dilemma--'what should she do next'? I think the directors were on queue and were consistent and seemed intent on getting as much from a scene as budget allowed, yet there were no long, wasteful scenes or gratuitous landscape pans often seen in other films of this budget range to 'not waste the camera rental fee'--every scene seemed to transition well, and at an apparent purposefully suspenseful pace. The backdrops in Riddle were fabulously 'decaying middle America' and I found myself wanting to see lots more of them in play.Lastly, I must say that the film score, while apparently purposefully unobtrusive, was too much so. Many scenes seemed wanting for music that just wasn't there at all. My bailiwick, a better, more sinister-sounding, more energetic and engrossing score would have added so much more depth to the slow-beat pacing of the dialog and many of the scenes.While many film goers (and reviewers) seem to have embraced a more black & white style of critique of the movies they see (it's either a 'Taxi Driver' or a 'Plan 9'), there is a universe of film in between--and much of it is worthy. Riddle is certainly up there in both effort and craftsmanship, and I hope the cast and crew, the producers, directors and writers, will bring us more and better in the future.I rate this film as a 7--a good, solid, entertaining movie..
chow913
Elisabeth Harnois stars as a typical 33 year old teenage girl in a small town.What? Elisabeth Harnois can still pass for 16 after all these years since we drooled over her in 'My Date With The President's Daughter' back in 1998? Yes! She can! And she still looks great! Harnois' mentally handicapped brother... I mean mentally challenged... I mean mentally disabled... I mean differently enabled mentally... I mean special needs... I mean whatever is PC at the moment, is taken for a joyride by two bullies. While stopping for beer at a gas station he disappears.3 years later (so is Elisabeth Harnois now supposed to be 36?) Harnois spots her brother at a farmers market and follows him to the ghostly town of Riddle which appears to be almost completely abandoned. This is creepy but it's never explained. Just like the rest of this movie.When she reports her brother's sighting to the local yokel sheriff Val Kilmer, the bar tender, tow truck driver and other locals they all hint at there being a conspiracy within Riddle to cover up her brother's kidnapping.This plot appears to be going somewhere but it isn't! In no time Harnois unites with other thirty something teenagers and we're left with the slasher formula of teenagers running through the woods from ax wielding maniacs and stepping in bear traps.Basically NOTHING is ever really explained as to why her brother was kidnapped or even by whom.There are also several other major logical flaws in this film. For example, when one character is found imprisoned in a barn he has long hair to suggest he hasn't been well treated. How then is he clean shaven? Uncut hair but clean shaven? The film makers could easily have fixed this by simply having the makeup artist add some stubble.In another scene Harnois just happened upon her brother's manila file showing they were both adopted. Why would his birth file have his adopted last name on it? The film makers could just have easily fixed this by having the adopted parents name on the file instead of the brother's. Sloppy work.'Riddle' isn't nails on a chalkboard but there is no reason to see it other than to marvel over how great Elisabeth Harnois still looks at age 33.
breakadawn
I desperately wanted to like this movie only because I'm a Kilmer fan, and appreciate the efforts of veteran actors like William Sadler, but even they couldn't save this poorly written piece from rental oblivion. If this were a student film piece, this movie would certainly showcase the promise and potential of everyone involved. Even though this was made on a low budget, it's a flat-footed attempt at a thriller. This is one of Kilmer's "paycheck player" roles, and is not worth viewing if you're a fan. The younger actors are not terrible, but they don't bring much to the table, either. Use your Redbox free rental promo code for something else.
adrossan
Riddle commences with an initially interest-grabbing tale - Holly's brother Nathan disappears and not a word is ever discovered about his whereabouts.We jump forward three years with Nathan still missing, and one day Holly is certain she has seen him, and promptly gives chase.Here the scriptwriters had an immense opportunity to take the viewer on a roller coaster ride of mystery, suspense, thrills and a touch of horror.You will want to ask why Holly never mentions Nathan's shoes.....but after overcoming her differences with the school associates she meets in the town of Riddle, she continues her pursuit of Nathan, despite being warned off by the Sheriff (Val Kilmer) and a mystery man (Wllliam Sadlier).I've never seen a Sheriff with a pony-tail and I was itching to take my scissors to a very unconvincing Val Kilmer's odd hairstyle - it must have been a deal clincher for him to keep the horse's backside on his head in exchange for playing his small part in the film.Unfortunately, once a prime discovery is made the story appears to have painted itself into a corner, and to me it felt as if the original scriptwriter had quit and was replaced with a 10 year old with budget control.The end sequences descend into farce, and the riddle of Riddle is never really explained.It's no surprise why so many films are failures when they betray the cinema-goers trust with this type of dross.One star for providing young actors and film creators with employment, no stars for Val Kilmer and his wooden horse with tail impersonation.
