Watcher (2000)

"A superb thriller!  Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper At The Movies
"Strap yourself in! Enjoy the ride!  Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

Editor's Note A stylish thriller that recalls David Fincher's SEVEN, THE WATCHER is set in the urban landscape of modern Chicago. The story follows Los Angeles transplant Joel Campbell (James Spader), an ex-police detective who has relocated to Chicago in order to escape his past. It appears that a dangerous serial killer, David Allen Griffin (Keanu Reeves), has formed a special emotional attachment to Campbell, luring him to Chicago in order to continue their deadly game of cat-and-mouse. Each game commences when Griffin sends Campbell a picture of a young girl, giving Campbell 24 hours to track her down before she's murdered. After three tragic failures, the stakes are upped when Griffin kidnaps Campbell's beautiful psychiatrist, Polly (Marisa Tomei), mimicking an earlier event that drove Campbell to Chicago in the first place. THE WATCHER is a commentary on modern society's effect on people: making them crudely unable to notice the peripheral people in their daily lives. First-time director Joe Charbanic shoots his film like a music video, using elliptical editing, slow motion, and a postindustrial soundtrack that greatly reflects the Chicago music scene. As the tortured detective, Spader possesses an internal fire that gradually builds in intensity as the film progresses.

	Chris Ellis
	Ernie Hudson
	James Spader
	Keanu Reeves
	Marisa Tomei
	Robert Cicchini
	Michael Chapman - Cinematographer
	Joe Charbanic & Jeff Jensen - Director
	Marco Beltrami - Musical Score
	Elliott Lewitt, et al. - Producer
	Clay Ayres - Screenplay
	David Elliot - Screenplay

In this chilling mystery-thriller, FBI agent Joel Campbell and serial killer David Allen Griffin go head-to-head. Griffin stalks the streets of Chicago for his victims, photographing them and sending the pictures to Campbell before he kills them. This cat-and-mouse activity drives Campbell nearly to the point of insanity, just as it did when both killer and detective were living in L.A. playing the same game. Campbell fled to Chicago and Griffin followed. Now that the battle has changed locations, THE WATCHER asks, will Campbell be the victor--or just the next victim? Sight and Sound
"...A thoughtful screenplay by David Elliot and Clay Ayers give a strong supporting cast plenty to chew on..." 01/01/2001 p.61

Los Angeles Times
"...Meticulously crafted....Intelligently plotted and well-acted by James Spader, Keanu Reeves and Marisa Tomei..." 09/08/2000 p.C12

James Berardinelli's ReelViews 5 of 10
...Keanu Reeves is surprisingly effective as a killer, with his easygoing charm and charismatic smile hiding a cold-blooded interior.