What a weird little movie. Seriously. It is a thriller, with unintended parody (you should see the neighbors). It is supposed to be a thriller, because well- there is a serial killer we keep hearing about. But then Colin Firth plays a character so socially awkward, you think you might be getting into a drama. Then there is this sexual tension with the other male lead. The movie takes place in Buenos Aires. Oh, don’t get me started on the accents. Why is everyone supposed to speak English fluently? I have an idea- instead of making everyone else speak English, make Colin Firth speak Spanish with his neighbors. OK, maybe Jack isn’t fluent but him speaking Spanish awkwardly would be much less painful than this.
Plot:
The premise is interesting enough. Adrian (Colin Firth) has enough problems. He has financial problems, his mother is at a mental institute and he is an antisocial who hates his nosy neighbors.
But he needs money so he rents a room of his flat. His roommate is an American named Jack (Hart Bochner). He is handsome, charming and a total sweetheart with the neighbors. He also quickly becomes great friends with Jack. They seem so…close, in fact I was expecting them to make out any minute.
I can’t quite explain Adrian’s character. “He has issues” is the best way to put it. Jack seems too nice in public and he is too mysterious the rest of the time. Colin’s acting is top notch, Hart Bochner (Jack) is alright. The rest is well…Casting director should have done a better job.
It is one of those movies: You have the right lead. The idea is great. But the movie is…incomplete.
Verdict:
I’d suggest to see it only if you are a Colin Firth fan. But I am a Firth fan and didn’t enjoy it. Yet it was fun to see him so young. Your call.
Other Posts on Colin Firth
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Trauma starring Colin Firth and Mena Suvari
The British Actors We Love feat. Colin Firth, Daniel Day Lewis, Rufus Sewell and Ralph Fiennes
St. Trinian’s starring Colin Firth
Apartment Zero starring Colin Firth
The Accidental Husband starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Uma Thurman &Colin Firth
The English Patient feat. Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas & Colin Firth
Hollywood’s Tall Actors feat. Colin Firth, Keanu Reeves, Gerard Butler & More
I love Apartment Zero and think it’s a very intriguing movie very well acted. I saw it for the first time in 2009 and I’m amazed that even Colin Firth never mentions it.
He’s perfect in this movie: he should have had his first Oscar for it.
I always thought something is missing with the movie. Something is just off. Maybe it is the editing, maybe the cinematography…But I just couldn’t like it for some reason.
Maybe Colin thought it was a bit off in some parts too. But of course his performance is good. It always is.