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TORONTO AFTER DARK FILM FESTIVAL 2009
Review: The Dark Hour
By Sarah Gopaul | Posted on August 16, 2009
The Dark Hour (a.k.a. The Cold Hour) is very attractive but the story sometimes lacks logic, creating obvious holes in the action and narrative.
The world is overrun with diseased humans called the Strangers that are slowly corroding from the inside, but eager to infect others with just a touch. The small group of people living together in an underground compound are running out of supplies, forcing them to send a gathering party to a nearby warehouse. On top of all that, a third threat terrorizes the survivors – the Invisibles visit their compound at night, bringing unbearable cold and hunting the hallways for heat sources. Personal conflicts begin to tear the tight group apart, making survival all the more difficult. An eight-year-old boy records the daily happenings and testimonies of his neighbours, though the film does not rely on a documentary style.
The concepts, when considered individually, are appealing; however, together they pull the story in too many directions allowing none to be fully fleshed out. The personal dynamics between the characters are interesting as romance and animosity motivate their actions and interactions, but slowly their reasons begin to make less sense – particularly as the action becomes more intense. The Strangers are cordoned off in prohibited sections of the compound, but their slowness at transcending the weak blockades is questionable. Finally, the Final Fantasy-style monsters that freeze their surroundings are the most confusing as only rumours exist of their origins and the one hint at the truth is very unclear. The biggest hitch occurs with the end concept, as the filmmakers’ extrapolation creates more problems than answers.
Nonetheless, stylistically the film works. The constant dimness of the scenes provides an air of uncertainty, even when the characters are happy. Furthermore, the visual icing of the sets is cool looking. And though the end idea is not the best, it does look quite incredible.
At the very least, the discussion with your friends after the film makes this one worth a watch.
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