Stained and Too Much Time in the Spin Cycle : A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by Gravitas Ventures.

**here be spoilers.

Director/writer: Karen Lam.

Stained is an indie picture developed from three different production companies (Angel Entertainment, Opiate Pictures, Goonworks Films). This is director Karen Lam's first feature. And while the first two thirds of the film is struggling to finds its legs, the final third makes up for some slow pacing earlier. There are a few surprises here as well. The only question is: will viewers be able to make it all the way to the end? Stained has just been released this month on video-on-demand and this reviewer would only give this film a tepid recommend.

The story focuses almost exclusively and to its own detriment on Isabelle (Tinsel Korey). Isabelle is a youngish woman who owns a small bookstore in what looks like Saskatoon, SK, based on this reviewer's travels there. Also, this was where the film was shot. Here things start to get strange as the main character must call her friend Jen (Sonja Bennett) nightly. What happens when she does not call? Viewers will find out the answer to this when Isabelle goes out on a date. Truly a preying mantis, Isabelle would rather eat her mates than let them go.

The police make their presence felt early in the film as they try to track down Isabelle, so you might figure out her dark side quicker than some e.g. this reviewer. However, this film is not all thrills and chills. Instead, the film starts off as a bit of a yawner and this critic was asking the questions: what is this film? where is it going? and how is it going to get there? This film never truly finds its identity, but Stained could definitely be seen as a psychological thriller. Where the film is going is only revealed near the end. In the meantime, you must use all of your effort to contain your impatience. The film's style is slightly didactic and dual in nature. The protagonist is both the villain and the hero. She is trying to get over some issues of abuse and trauma; however, she is going about her catharsis in all the wrong, bloody ways.

This reviewer had problems identifying with any of the characters as Lam puts almost all of the focus on the female characters. Male characters are an aside or a vehicle to an ending. Lam shows an inability to create a balance between the genders and male audiences might find themselves less interested in issues of cutting, becoming a cat lady, talking of dress, or nasty ex-boyfriends (generalizing here). All the issues in the film that are developed are of a feminine nature and this is another detriment to the film. Thus, Lam is cutting down her audience to half early. The development of strong male characters with their own challenges could have balanced the film out more fully. In the film's defence, there is one issue developed in regards to Dave (Stephen Lobo), who sees himself as second fiddle to Jen's best friend, Isabelle. This reviewer would have liked to see this subplot developed a little more or at least resolved.

Overall, this Canadian film will only satisfy fans of the psychological thriller. This is not really a horror film and not really a drama. Stained seems to get stuck in all of the genres while not focusing on any of them. As well, the film can come across as a bit of a confused mess at times. If you can make it through some of Lam's missteps, then you will be rewarded with a few surprises in the ending. Unfortunately, getting to the destination is not as enjoyable as it could be.

Writing/story/plot: 6.5 (there is really only one plot here and very few subplots, only one character is developed).
Action/interaction: 6.5 (some of the dialogue is believable, some is over-the-top, the expression on Jen's face is great though in the end when caught).

Overall: 6.5 out of 10.

The film's fan page:

Stained on Facebook

Visit Gravitas Ventures for a full list of video-on-demand platforms that Stained will be shown on:

VOD Platforms from Gravitas Ventures

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Posted in: 2011,2011 release,canada,canadian,canadian movie,killer,movie poster,movie review,psychological thriller,psychology