A review of "The Tall Man"

Confessions of a Film Junkie: A review of “The Tall Man”

By: Brian Cotnoir

     I am going to try so hard to make it through this review without giving away too many spoilers, because I honestly do believe that people should see this film.  I mean just from the description I got on the film, I thought it was going to suck, but it didn’t.  This film isn’t just “Slender Man” the movie people it’s more than that.  Much, much more. 

So the plot to “The Tall Man” is the following:  The town of Cold Rock, Washington has fallen on some tough times.  Unemployment is skyrocketing, the town is on the verge of financial ruin, parents can’t support their own children, their “hospital” is a closed down school, and worst of all dozens of children have disappeared without a trace.  The town’s residents are all on edge.  Legends begin to spring up of sightings of a “Tall Man” living in the woods who sneaks into people’s homes at night and takes away peoples children before vanishing without a trace.  The residents of Cold Rock begin to speculate on who could be doing this.  Some think its deranged pedophile, while others believe that the “Tall Man” may be something supernatural, or possibly something much, much worst.                 

Come back, Please! It gets better!

      The film was made in 2012, but was only released in a handful of theatres. Unlike many of the films I do review this film actually has the benefit of some credible actresses.  Our films main character is played by Jessica Biel, she plays Julia, a nurse in Cold Rock, who many of the residents in town seem to have a love/hate relationship with because she is the only licensed medical professional in the area, but many people also think that she’s not as good as her husband who was the towns resident Physician for years and has since passed on.  Jessica Biel actually gives great performance.  Her character is very driven and motivated despite the adversity of practicing medicine in a run-down “Shack Town” where a good portion of the town’s residents seem to resent her for not being more like her husband.      

Silent Hill!!!....I Mean, Cold Rock!!!!

Also appearing in this film is actress Jodelle Ferland.  Ferland plays a girl in Cold Rock named, Jenny.  Jenny comes from an abusive home and has “speech problems”, so she communicates with everyone by writing down in a journal.  And yet, it is her character who narrates a good portion of the film...which doesn’t make sense.  Why would you have a character who does not speak narrate the film?  I mean, I know what Jodelle Ferland’s voice sounds like, but for anyone who has not seen in a film before, how are they going to know that it’s her character who is narrating.  Yes, her narrating is useful at times to explaining parts of the plot, but it still doesn’t answer how the audience is supposed to know that it’s her talking when we never hear her speak at any other point in the film.  Jenny was befriended by Julia who tries to provide her with love and encouragement and tries to help her work on her speech.  As it just so happens to turn out, Jenny will be the last victim of “The Tall Man”.     

It's called "The Secret" in certain countries

I’m going to stop there, because I don’t want to give away any more details to the plot, and I think you should give this film a try.  You’ll be sitting through the first half of the film saying to yourself “This is stupid.  I already know how this is going to end”, but once the film reaches its climax it’s all twists and turns and the more you think you’re starting to know what’s going on, the film’s story throws another twist to the plot and keeps you guessing.  This was one of the better twist endings to a film that I’ve seen, and I honestly think it’s up there with the endings to “The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari” and “Primal Fear”.  So do yourself a favor and check out “The Tall Man”, it’s a good thriller with plenty of twists to the plot and then after you see it, you should tell all of your friends to go and see it too.