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Switchblade Romance (Haute Tension) - Movie Review - 18 Cert
However, times have changed and most of the cinema going public have become desensitised to this genre of movie and are much more accepting of gory, bloody, violent films which attempt to shock but the majority of the time this does not work. That was until Alexandre Aja pummelled us with his debut feature film Switchblade Romance. Clearly influenced by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Switchblade Romance manages to shatter the non-justified myth that French films are mind-numbingly boring and just for the fairer sex. Best friends, Marie (Cecile De France) and Alexia (Maiwenn) are travelling to Alexia’s parents who, (for the sake of this movie) conveniently live out in the sticks - which of course, for a horror film opens up a whole world of possibilities! Whilst staying with Alexia’s family, they get an unexpected visit from the local psychotic serial, murdering maniac, who decides to pay the family a visit and prey on their innocent lives during the night. Marie, who is distracted from her nightly antics by the commotion, faces a battle to stay alive by outwitting the murdering intruder. This, however, takes even more significance when Alexia is kept alive - but for what reason? Switchblade Romance (it's international title) or Haute Tension meaning High Tension is actually a more appropriate title because it does exactly what it says on the tin. Sure, this movie does follow a simple formula with friends visiting family with a homicidal crazed killer on the loose in the middle of nowwhere. Imagine if this was made or set in the US. The killer would be some freakish Hillbilly or Redneck with seven toes playing Duelling Banjos with their slippery half-cousin, who they’re married to or copulating with; living in a forest or by the riverside - you get the picture. Anyway Switchblade Romance really does provide shocks, claustrophobia, tension and blood in bucket loads - in some cases too much but somehow within the simple format of the film it works. There's no over-complicated plot and no pretentiousness in direction or character development. This movie would not be out of place as a "video nasty" if released in the late 70’s and early 80’s and it definitely captures the mood of that genre of film during that era with the added bonus of it being updated and possessing flairs of intelligence. Also as a subtitled movie this does not spoil, affect or distract from the tension of the movie. In some cases there are sustained periods where nothing is spoken or has the need to be, due to characters body language or the circumstances they find themselves in being enough. There's no doubt this film is primarily about the violence but it is the way that Alexandre Aja uses relationships, sexuality, psychology and sexual tension to help introduce and aid the characters to develop, which in turn, helps us to care about them and that should be commended. This adds an extra dimension to the performances of our female leads as well as the story. Cecile De France is brilliant as Marie who does everything in her power to stay alive and not get caught out by the psycho killer; Maiwenn is outstanding and convincing as the terrified victim Alexia and Philippe Nahon is chilling and very unsettling as… you’ve guessed it; the Killer, who is reminiscent of the unseen villain in Road Kill (aka Joy Ride). Aja’s direction is first-rate and manages to keep us on the edge of our seat throughout. Firstly, we get broken in moderately by the comfortable introduction of the characters, not forgetting to mention an extremely bizarre oral sex scene… which is to condition and prepare us for what lies in the journey ahead. Afterwards, he delivers a barrage of attacks, scene after scene that keeps on going to the very end, made even more effective by the excellent soundtrack but none more so than the fantastic New Born performed by Muse. Very haunting, simply brilliant! With the fantastic Luc Besson on board as a co-producer, you know there is something special about this project. Switchblade Romance is violent, sick, twisted, bloody and disgusting, not for the faint hearted and definitely not for kids but it is an astonishingly good movie. If you're easily offended watch something beautiful or peaceful like Chocolat or Amelie. However, if you like films of this genre then you're in for a treat. The tagline says: Hearts will bleed. Guaranteed - yours will too... Leon Nicholson
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