Starring: Megan Fox, Callan Mulvey Eoin Macken, Lilli Rich
Written by: Jason Carvey
Directed by: S.K. Dale
Running Time: 1 Hour and 28 Minutes
In a continuing parade of films proving that Hollywood exists to perpetuate itself we have Till Death. Megan Fox here attempts a dramatic turn so her career can survive past the diminishment of her conventional attractiveness. Given all she was previously known for was being eye candy in The Transformers films her fears that once she loses her luster her career might be sunk without a fallback plan is not unfounded. In Till Death there’s plenty of lingering camera shots of her charms and even when spattered with blood or mussed up her hair remains perfect and her makeup never smudges so Megan is mostly there to admire, but she TRIES for a memorable performance as the center and solo character of the film for most of the run time.
The problem is…she’s just not a very good actress. She has one real mode of expression, a kind of vague surprised look, and modulates her ‘acting’ by raising or lowering her monotone voice. Everything that works here, from the pretty directing and lighting and camerawork, is a distraction.
Anyone else could have played this part with much more distinction, but because Megan is looking for a means to branch out in the industry this is likely why she got the part.
And aside from that tangent, there’s not much else to say. This is a thriller without any thrills. Wealthy people go to extravagant places to be eccentric and wealthy in a bland and generic way…and THOSE SCENES are supposed to be the lead up to the audience caring about the characters.
When Megan’s character gets in a bad situation there’s been nothing to suggest she’s a decent enough human to worry that much about. It doesn’t help she underacts to nearly every revelation. Someone is dead? That’s sure annoying. My life is in danger? That warrants at least a brief rant about how annoying everything is. She is literally being beaten at one point and looks bored, or is incapable of exhibiting other types of emotions.
Everyone else sure is there. Conventional performances I guess are more compelling than a dull one.
The situation IS the film even though it’s not even that original (see Gerald’s Game to watch this all done better) so to spoil the specifics would negate the reason to see Till Death at all. If you absolutely must experience a fairly boilerplate thriller that’s decently shot and directed Till Death is not the worst option, but it’s missing a solid center.
Our score: 50 out of 100