A psychic works with the FBI in order to hunt down a serial killer.
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mattbaxter72 from United Kingdom
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This is a direct-to-DVD movie, which has inexplicably attracted a couple of big stars, but that shouldn't obscure the fact that Zalman King was knocking out stuff like this back in the 80's. At least those movies had boobs to distract you from the ridiculous plot: this thing can only offer Anthony Hopkins' weird hairdo. Hopkins, in one of his more restrained performances of late, is a psychic who can see people's futures by touching them. Meanwhile Colin Farrell is the killer he's tracking, who's always one step ahead because - gasp - he's psychic too! Sounds like some cheesy fun, right? Except someone decided that this was a Serious Film, dealing with Big Ideas about morality and justice and destiny and fate and stuff, and so everyone looks really dour all the time, no one has any fun, and by my count at least four people get cancer. I'm pretty sure there were less cancer patients in The Fault In Our Stars. And more jokes. Hopkins and Farrell do their best here, Jeffrey Dean Morgan sleepwalks through it and Abbie Cornish... well, she looks pretty I guess, though to be fair Meryl Streep would have struggled with such a cliché-ridden character, a classic example of a female character written by a man who apparently has never met any real, live women. The real villain here, though, far worse than Farrell's murderer, is the director. He uses hand-held cameras for no reason, and does so incredibly ineptly, to the extent that I was all but shouting at him to hold the bloody thing still, already. He uses clunky flashbacks and awful symbolism, inserts rubbish montages for no particular reason, and at one point has 77-year-old Anthony Hopkins enact a sequence that looks as though it could be the video to 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams'. In the end, it's only the director's staggering incompetence that you'll remember about this tosh when you catch it on late-night cable in a couple of years' time.
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Neil Welch from United Kingdom
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John Clancy lives in solitude, separated from his wife after his daughter's death. FBI agent Joe calls on him for assistance in a serial killing case because John has a psychic ability to pick up information from objects and people, and this killer is leaving clues but no forensic detail. The trouble is, John determines, that the killer has similar abilities to John's, only better.
Superficially a straightforward crime suspense thriller with a psychic element to it, this film has two good things going for it. One is the title or, more precisely, what the title means, which doesn't become clear until about halfway through, and which supercharges the ending: there is an aspect of the plot which provides you with some serious food for thought. And the other is Anthony Hopkins' performance. We know he is a consummate actor, but we also know he can chew scenery when he is required to. Here, he gives us a man whose abilities torment him beyond comprehension, and who chooses to deal with that by living in solitude which means he doesn't come into contact with the things which trigger them. And, when he does move into the busy world, he keeps his reactions under tight control with a veneer of serenity which masks what is going on underneath (yet Hopkins lets you know nevertheless). It is a subtle, understated performance, perhaps his best since the Silence Of The Lambs.
I really enjoyed this, and the end knocked me for six.
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Harvey Penson from United Kingdom
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If we could see people's future, I never would have seen this film being so deep.
Solace focuses on a closed off psychic who helps to find a serial killer, but soon becomes more important to the case than he knows. Anthony Hopkins and Colin Farrell star in this mystery thriller to wow the audience on life and moral behaviour.
The film gives thrills, action, suspense, and deep thinking to keep the audience 100% focused. We view brilliant camera work and interesting editing sequences to dazzle our eyes. Though I do not promise this film to be the utter best, but completely enjoyable, and a film to spread the word around about.
The film provides plenty of depth to the characters, and immediately put the audience on their side. Anthony Hopkins is a clever, caring, and intelligent character that gives the film the performance it needed, along with an emotional story as well. However the choice of Colin Farrell for the psychotic free believer, serial killer may not be the perfect decision. Granted Farrell provides plenty of depth and character in his performance, especially presenting great characterisation compared to previous performances, I personally did not see Farrell as the ideal actor for this role.
I give this film a 7/10, providing you with much more then you first think. This is a film for thrill seekers, and viewers who like to think, but also one to be discussed.
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ryan-fotheringham from United Kingdom
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The supernatural element aside, this is a generic and clichéd serial killer chase. The premise boasts interesting ideas but fails to incorporate them in the plot in any way that gives the movie depth. The intrigue of the psychic powers within the film fades as the plot drags towards the finale and the last scene kills it off entirely.
Anthony Hopkins, Colin Farrell and Abbie Cornish have all proved, the former especially, that they have the ability to carry themselves in a blockbuster - though this film would hardly even qualify as such. Hopkins phones in a performance with small highlights few and far between. Farrell seems to give it his all but shining in a flick filmed so generically that it's almost laughable appears to be a tougher task than he could have anticipated. Cornish is decent but with the exception of a scene designed to pull on the audience's heartstrings has few opportunities to show off what she can do.
Camera shots float and zoom-in partially making the film feel almost like a spoof of the genre.
The psychic element does provide some interesting imagery as well as allowing for possible scenarios to be shown to the audience from the perspective of Hopkins and Farrell. However, much of the imagery appears irrelevant and it's inevitable explanation does not justify it's inclusion enough for the audience to have appreciation of it.
In conclusion, the film is bold to boast an original idea in a time where cinema is dominated by sequels, remakes and reboots. Nonetheless, much of the film reeks of cop drama generalisations alongside an underdeveloped supernatural element. On TV it might be worth a watch but I feel it isn't worth the price of a cinema ticket.
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Dr_Sagan from the Edge of the Cosmos
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The premise where Psychics are helping the police to find killers are a very common thing in movies and TV series and maybe in real life. They won't tell you who the killer is. Just bits and pieces of information, sometimes misleading or misinterpreting.
The same goes for "Solace" a rather naive supernatural thriller which gains substance and becomes interesting because of the presence of veteran multi-awarded actor Anthony Hopkins. Colin Farrell is also in this but maybe he is miscast.
The direction and editing might bother some people but I personally found it OK. Lots of digital Effects, slow motions, quick distorted editing, are always a way to present visions or memories, and this movie has plenty.
One of the problems of "Solace" is that it has a strong statement about a rather delicate matter which I won't reveal because ultimately is the motive of the villain. It's like a moral that forces you to accept it, without expressing the opposite side which is equally strong.
Overall: You won't waste your time with this one. Is a decent Supernatural Thriller and Anthony Hopkins is effortlessly great. In my opinion though skip the obvious moral, or give it some more thought.
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silvaeduardo from Porto, Portugal
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Loved the movie, don't go for the 1 star main review...
I found strange that a movie with this 2 actors would get a so low or medium even score, and decided to watch it (usualy I don't see anything below 6.5)
The movie is very good and has a strong message behind it, its not that well hidden, you can identify yourself or someone with the pain that goes through the movie. Who thinks this is a horror movie, or a cliché is going for the wrong film.
Its a story of the "devil's advocate", you will end up having conflicted feelings, hard ones, with some extremes.
Anyways, without spoiling it, unless your expecting a horror or action blockbuster you should watch this movie.
Hopkins delivers and Farrel as well, now the woman main actress doesn't reach this 2 great actors, its the only flaw (Sometimes big one) I find in this film.
Great movie
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davidgee from United Kingdom
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If this reminds you of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, it's almost certainly meant to. Anthony Hopkins, in creepy (hammy!) near-Hannibal mode, plays a clairvoyant investigator helping the FBI track down a serial killer who - by credibility-stretching coincidence - also happens to be blessed with amazing psychic powers and has a seriously weird motive for his grisly crimes.
SOLACE was originally pitched as a sequel to SE7EN, we're told, and had major production difficulties. There are echoes of almost all the Hannibal Lecter movies. Abbie Cornish's FBI agent never escapes from the shadow of Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling. Colin Farrell is, as ever, a charismatic presence, although he is playing a character the script does not make remotely believable. We see too many of Hopkins's 'visions' of how things may (or may not) be about to turn out. Nowhere near as grim and atmospheric as SE7EN, SOLACE is more than a little daft - but despite muddled direction it's still gripping and at least as watchable as a 'vintage' episode of CSI.
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leonblackwood from United Kingdom
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Review: I quite enjoyed this deep, psychological thriller and it was good to see Hopkins back on the big screen but they could have done a bit more with the concept. Although the cast was quite good, Hopkins didn't really push his performance and Farell didn't get much screen time. With that aside, it's intense throughout and the attention to detail made it watchable. Anthony Hopkins plays a psychic doctor (John Clancy), who has become a recluse, after losing his daughter to cancer 2 years ago. He then gets approached by his old work colleague, Agent Joe Merriweather (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), who needs his help to track down a serial killer. After turning down the opportunity, Joe's partner, Agent Katherine Cowles (Abbie Cornish), leaves the case notes with John and when he finally has a look at the file, he decides to join the agents to hunt down the killer. After a few more murders, John follows the cryptic clues which lead to a man called Charles Ambrose (Colin Farell), who also has psychic abilities and is always 2 steps ahead of the agents. They soon work out that Ambrose is killing people with terminal illnesses, so he is basically putting them out of there misery, before they start to suffer with there disease. Regardless of his good intentions, he is still classed as a serial killer and when Joe dies of terminal cancer, John makes it his mission to stop Ambrose from killing anyone else. He then comes face to face with Ambrose on a train and he can foresee Katherine getting shot during there alteration, so he steps in front of the bullet and kills Ambrose on the spot. After recovering in hospital, John gets back with his wife after being away from her since his daughter passed away. A decent concept but you do have to be in the right mood to watch it because it's quite depressing and the murders are brutal. Its also one toned and Hopkins seems to be in a zone of his own most of the time but I still got into the whole investigation side of the movie and I liked the way that Hopkins controlled his unique gift. It won't go down as an all time classic like the Silence of the Lambs but it's still a watchable movie which picks up once Farell comes face to face with Hopkins. Watchable!
Round-Up: Anthony Hopkins, 78, hasn't really peaked since his Silence of the Lambs days but he is still highly respected in Hollywood, who has a unique style of acting. With a couple of TV movies in the pipeline along with Go With Me, alongside Ray Liotta, he's not showing any signs of slowing down but there isn't any big budget projects coming soon. This is the first major movie from director Afonso Poyart and he is lucky to direct such an experienced cast. I liked the chemistry between Hopkins, Morgan and Cornish and Farell played the baddie, convincingly but it still seemed like it was missing something.
Budget: NA Worldwide Gross: $18million
I recommend this movie to people who are into their mystery, thrillers starring Anthony Hopkins, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish, Janine Turner and Marley Shelton. 4/10
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limassolsupplements from Cyprus
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wow what can i say ,i really made an account to make this comment..I was a bit disappointment lately from the Hollywood movies,its been 3 years to go to the cinema i occasionally download 1-2 movies every 3 months..which i usually find boring,i've seen the new one with Leonadro Di Caprio,the one with the bear,nothing special there,i am not sure why that movie has better rating that this movie.Actually the most movies i've seen are unoriginal and not that good
I am not going to spoil it for you,but this movie is really clever,clever story,nice acting...I found everything perfect,i was shocked that this movie had only 6 stars there..wtf people...? PLEASE WATCH THIS MOVIE AND Don't READ THOSE HATEFULL Comments..EVEN THE END IS UNEXPECTED...THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON IN THE FILM WHICH YOU WILL NOT EXPECT..ANYONE WHO SAID THE FILM IS Boring HE MUST BE STUPID OR SOMETHING!! CONGRATS TO THE DIRECTORS,WRITERS,ACTORS ..PLEASE MAKE MORE MOVIES LIKE THIS..PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS HATE,BUT I AM A CINEMA LOVER AND THAT MOVIE IS what CINEMA WAS MISSING TILL NOW!!!THANKS THANKS THANKS!
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adonis98-743-186503 from Greece
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Just saw Solace and i absolutely loved it such a great supernatural thriller benefit from a strong performance of Anthony Hopkins and a great cast featuring Collin Farrel, Abbie Cornish and Jeffrey Dean Morgan although i must say the ending confused me a little bit. I saw some of the reviews in rotten tomatoes and the film so far has a rating of 35% which i think it's totally wrong the soundtrack, the action, the suspense and the supernatural element were all in here i never saw Anthony Hopkins in a role like this also the movie is R-Rated so that makes it even more interesting. If you love good action films or thrillers you will not be disappointed.
psychic|serial killer|euthanasia|clairvoyant|predicting the future|seeing the future|vision of the future|car chase|taxi|child with leukemia|hiv|female nudity|murder in bathtub|dead daughter|fbi|female frontal nudity|murder of daughter|hospital|held at gunpoint|train|shot in the head|chase|stolen taxi|cancer|child cancer|child with cancer|brain tumor|female rear nudity|nudity|bathtub|murder|flashback|psychic power|doctor|one word title|surprise ending|
AKAs Titles:
Certifications:
France:U (with warning) / Germany:16 / Ireland:15A / Portugal:M/14 / UK:15 / USA:R
Movie Details:
MOVIE
