After making
a resolution through watching the likes of Martyrs, Them and Eden Lake to avoid
nasty, ‘real’ horror films, I found myself suckered into watching 7 Days. The
cover looks like the standard Japanese ghost story and I honestly thought that
was what I was about to experience. Usually not reading the blurb is a positive
move, however in this case it was possibly a mistake, because 7 Days is one of
the worst examples of the ‘nasty & real horror’ genre. And just like
Martyrs, Frontiers and Switchblade Romance it’s French! At the risk of
upsetting yet another nation; What’s wrong with these people? Lighten up a bit! (Cheers. That's all of our French readers gone. And for an alternative view on Martyrs, click here - evlkeith)
If you need a
heart warming and uplifting experience this is possibly not your best film
choice and there’s a big spoiler in the following paragraph. When Dr. Bruno
Hamel’s (Claude Legault) daughter is abducted, abused and murdered, the good
doctor manages to kidnap the perpetrator and then torture him for seven days. End of
story. He uses all that medical training to good effect, but ultimately there
are few other positive aspects.
It does have
its interesting points however, as we can all empathise with his extreme pain,
and on a reptilian level, his actions. But it’s unnerving how the nation seems
to support his actions on TV, how the officer in charge (Remy Girard)
empathises so deeply and how the public aid his escape. I’m guessing this may
be very true to life under the circumstances. The film asks you if revenge is ever
justified? But leaves you in a depressing grey area clouded by instinct, grief
and doubt. Let’s just say it does its job, but it's extremely disturbing
viewing.
In many ways
a good film, but without the sense of hope that I need to propel me through the
darkness. Not something I enjoyed and not something I’ll watch again, but it
challenges your beliefs and attitudes to retribution in a brutal fashion. Not
one for Grandma and best avoided if you have a weak stomach.
Thank you very much Ragu.
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