Release Date:
04/14/2006
Perhaps the first mainstream castration movie to hit Hollywood, Hard Candy probably won't top most guys' entertainment must-sees. But for those in need of a nearly two-hour, two-character revenge flick about a 14-year-old girl who proceeds to extract a thirtysomething dude's balls, it's solid fun for the whole family. Well, maybe "fun" isn't the right way to describe this intense Fatal Attraction for a new generation. Young Hayley (Ellen Page) seems innocent enough, but in setting up her own sting operation on a fashion photographer (Patrick Wilson) who surfs the net looking for "dates," she's clearly a contender for misery queen of the 21st century. This girl makes Kathy Bates look like Dakota Fanning. Her purpose is to expose his "scandalous" past and make him pay with his nuts. Her process and take-charge attitude are endlessly fascinating, if extremely uncomfortable to watch. Fortunately, you think you are seeing more than you actually do. With a script that has a couple of surprises in store and superb performances from both Page and Wilson, Hard Candy is never dull. We just hope it doesn't inspire any copycats out there.