Buried.

Claustrophobia is one of the most common phobias humans can experience, if you identify with this then the best suggestion would be to avoid watching this film. Many may have their reservations as the films low budget, shot in one location with one actor, could put you off the mainstream ‘blockbuster’ but do not let this fool you. From the very beginning viewers are thrust into the pitch black, along with the only actor seen during the film, Ryan Reynolds (Paul Conway). The film unsettles any macho type, as scenes alternate between the protagonist screaming in frustration and fright, to a few dark one liners that almost make you feel bad for laughing at.  

The film uses the basis of a contractor being held hostage in Iraq and the lengths he goes too with his only tool, a mobile phone to get himself out, where in lies the problem. With so many ways to prolong speaking to someone, i.e. the hold button, you begin to see that in certain situations mostly of the life or death type, telecoms systems are wholly inefficient. With certain death only hours away, constant calls are made to emergency services and state departments. The manner, in which they talk, as if they don’t believe his calling from the Iraqi desert, is condescending and unproductive. Finally the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be nearing as he speaks to a hostage unit, but in the stark light of the day or torch in his case, there is very little they can do.

Twists and turns leave you in anticipation, nails littered around the sofa kind of frustration rides in constant waves. The Americans treatment of their employees and their reaction to hostage situations during this film are unbelievable, but could sadly be true.

Buried is a film that will leave you reeling long after the credits stop rolling.