Leofwine_draca
THE CALLING is a mid budget Canadian serial killer thriller that seems to have been conceived as a complete rip-off of FARGO, with Susan Sarandon playing another ageing female cop who has been directly modelled on Frances McDormand in that film. The hunt is on for a serial killer with a bizarre modus operandi, but the viewer is given the killer's identity early on, leaving the rest a pointless exercise in water-treading.The film has a bland look to it and not much in the way of atmosphere. It kept me watching but I never felt as involved in the story as I should. Sarandon is okay but seems a bit tired, although those in support such as Gil Bellows and Donald Sutherland give solid turns. There's some mild gruesomeness but the killer is a bit subdued and the religious theme was done better in a little-seen SEVEN rip-off I really dig called RESURRECTION.
playbobbie13
I took a chance with this unknown. It's the cast that drew me to it! As I watched I was thoroughly engrossed! I'll admit, the idea of this movie taking place in Canada was a bonus too. Yes, I'm Canadian. But the location notwithstanding, this movie was a brilliant crime movie. Very well acted, brilliantly scripted and the cinematography suited the film so well. This movie may cause a debate surrounding the Bible and it's place in the modern world and that is a good thing. Through discussion comes understanding...and change! I'm not sure if that is WHY this movie was made as opposed to just making a great thriller but either way, I loved it!
Tony Hernandez
A viewer can see why this Canadian production really did not get much release in the U.S. The plot is as derivative as any serial killer movie today, with the "Fargo" knock-off setting and the misdirection too familiar. Is it about a serial killer? Yes, but really it is about the psychological hang-ups and strained relationships of its lead characters. As one reviewer mentioned, there are enough plot lines and character setups to fill at least a miniseries, but in a 107 minute movie, they just quell any momentum.Sarandon was saddled with a terribly underwritten lead character; she has virtually nothing to do in the film except look tired and over-matched. There are no redeeming qualities to this character and I found myself somewhat disappointed when the twist ending left her alive. Had she been the twelfth victim as the plot clearly leads us to believe, at least there would have been a point to her character.Still, I have a soft spot for any thriller, no matter how meek, that is set in a snowy small town with quirky characters. It is almost always good to see Ellen Burstyn (the remake of "The Wicker Man" is the reason for "almost")and Topher Grace does a nice job as the green cop. Christopher Heyerdahl was creepy as the killer and could have done more if his part had been better written as well.Overall, not something I will re-watch, but for fans of this sort of slow burn serial killer stuff, an OK attempt.
BrianLlywd
Despite a few plot flaws, this picture was way better than anticipated. If a thriller is only really good if compelling then this one is a winner. Sarandan is a small town copper who trips over a serial killer, manages to manage a predilection for whiskey (can't blame her for that) manages to connect the dots, and manages to find and follow the leads to a tension filled conclusion. Donald Sutherland, as an ageing priest, is as he always is... wearing a role like a comfortable suit of vraiments. Gil Bellows (who I liked so much in 3 Days in Havana) takes himself up another step in my appreciation. My fellow watcher commented that it's like a Dan Brown movie... but good. And I agree.
AD
