March 19 2013 – We all need a little excitement in our lives. And for Nicole (Michelle Giroux), a 40 something barely there pharmacist and housewife who has all the trappings of success with a loving husband and two angst-ridden teens, life has spiralled into a series of half measures. She needs something, anything to break up her sedentary quagmire in a city that offers so much, Toronto. Fear not Nicole, someone has taken notice and nothing will ever be the same again when the introduction of anonymous letters start appearing in her mailbox as this delicately paced psychological thriller Blood Pressure, begins.
In an age of texting, tweeting and videophones there is something refreshing about receiving communication the old fashion way. And Winnipeg director, Sean Garrity enhances this experience with smart little touches like showing the real-time script of each letter strategically developing before your eyes as the writers voiceover draws both Nicole and the viewers in. This gradual transition from innocent missives to unnerving noir begins as Nicole first receives comfort letters with doting compliments that quickly escalates to directives involving target shooting, break and enter and more. Lesser housewives would have pulled the safety cord long ago but Nicole continues to adhere to each letter always with the proviso that she can opt out at any time. And we still don’t know, Is this a man or women, a friend or foe, a co-worker or relative ?
As stealth as this modern housewife is, her behaviour does not go unnoticed and she draws the ire of husband Mike (Judah Katz), her supervisor Stu (Kristian Bruun), and her most awe struck daughter Kat, convincingly played by Tatiana Maslany. As Nicole get pulled in deeper she may be developing a strange attraction to this mysterious stranger. Unlike most ‘women-in jeopardy’ TV movies, this one does not follow the customary dramatic through-line to a predictably violent resolution. Instead, Blood Pressure takes you to an unhurried twist-filled climax that really makes you think.
Verdict: 3.5 out of 5 Blood Pressure is impressive and noteworthy for so many of reasons. By not relying on grandiose Hollywood chase sequences or working up to a shootout showdown between Nicole and her admirer, Garrity is able to keep the audience engaged. Instead, he invests his faith in the talented actors and a strong story to build a fascinating thriller that is both exciting and a deep exploration of a woman who finds something she didn’t know she was missing: herself. Canadian filmmakers have always had great cinematic perspective combined with willingness to take chances. Sean Garrity’s Blood Pressure is a chance worth taking.
Final Thought – A smart, slow burning psychological thriller in the spirit of the Coen Brothers.
 |
| Get the T-Mak World Toolbar to get all the info you need |
