Have you ever had a film in your collection for years, maybe even decades, and for one reason or another, never took the time to watch it? There’s no particular reason other than the amount of interesting content and time constraints. So when I had the chance to check out the Blu-ray of Spiral (2007) from Ronin Flix, I had to jump at it.
I bought the DVD the day it was released because of my love for Hatchet (2006) and my interest in Adam Green’s work. After finally watching the film, I was impressed by star Joel David Moore, who really goes all-in with his portrayal of a man spiraling out of control.
Mason (Joel David Moore) is a reclusive telemarketer with only one friend, Berkeley (Zachary Levi), who happens to be his boss. He suffers from panic attacks that threaten to destroy his life, but when he meets Amber (Amber Tamblyn), things start to change. He begins to come out of his shell when he’s with her, and there seems to be an improvement in his overall outlook as their relationship blossoms.
Mason begins sketching her in different poses, and all seems great until she discovers there’s more to him than meets the eye. His mental state begins to deteriorate, and the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur. He can no longer distinguish with a sound mind, leading him into a darkness from which he may not be able to pull himself.
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Joel David Moore had mainly been known as this goofy, funny guy, but his performance in this film far exceeded anything he had done to that point. This multi-layered performance is very unpredictable, never knowing how the character will react, with compassion or violence. After watching Spiral, it’s apparent this was a passion project for Moore, who also produced, co-wrote, and co-directed with Adam Green. He gave his all both in front of and behind the camera.
Zachary Levi and Amber Tamblyn give strong support to how the film is crafted; it expertly builds tension until the final moments, when everything just explodes. It’s a shame that Spiral hasn’t amassed a larger following, as it’s a stunning portrait of a man losing his grip on reality.
The Blu-ray from Ronin Flix features a new restoration, a new behind-the-scenes documentary with interviews from Moore, Levi, Green, and others, a new commentary track, an archival commentary, and the theatrical trailer. The special features give the film a great overview of how those involved felt about the film then and now.
If you have the DVD, it’s totally worth the upgrade. If you’ve never seen it, don’t wait like I did. Spiral is a twisted gem with Hitchcockian suspense that shouldn’t be missed.
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