Keepsake and Keeping Strange Trophies: A Movie Review

*a DVD screener of this film was provided by Echo Bridge Entertainment.

**here be major spoilers.

Director/writer: Paul Moore.

Torture porn is not dead as Paul Moore's Keepsake reminds us. Released on DVD February 21st, this film revitalizes a genre that has almost been forgotten. However, the brutal scenes of dismemberment, plier pulling dentistry, Achille's heel cuttng with sheers, scenes of female humiliation and submission will reduce the enjoyment (hopefully) for most horror fans. The final castration scene is the coup de grâce in a film that makes its gruesome point visually over and over again.

Janine (Sunny La Rose) is the only character given a name in the show and she is also the protagonist and damaged hero. Her car crash at night brings a mute tow truck driver (Robert Pralgo). He has a plan for Janine. After removing a curious cop from the situation, this killer begins his 30 days torture of this street smart vixen. A collar represents her submission to a man whose motivations can only be guessed at. Janine's own motivations are revealed later in the film and she should not be judged on the surface only. Her dream sequences allude to molestation at her father's hands and Janine's hands are not lilly white, but more sopping wet and bloody.

That is a look of premeditation you see here

Janine's unconscious musings with her sister, another captive woman and a beast looming in the darkness allude to her inner conflicts. In case you have seen the film (has anyone seen this film) and you are questioning Janine's actions, she is a predator who actively seeks out male serial killers. In a way, she is finding redemption for her sexual abuse by torturing and killing men who remind Janine of her father. One of those men is the two truck driver. His severed tongue would signify previous abuse of his own. His hatred and torture of women is either caused by frustration or by some sort of torture at the hands of a woman. This is conjecture, but previous abuse is the only piece that fits. The final major character is a mute woman who has had her mouth welded shut with screws. Where is the light in all this darkness? She is a symbolic representation of Janine's sister and Janine only sees her as a traitor. This is the same role her sister played, betraying Janine to her father. She cannot see the victim in this secondary character and so she is left behind like Janine's sister left her.

Issues of abandonment are amplified by the film's ominous score, which is always present. The soundtrack is one of the film's best elements. Meanwhile, the constant scenes of torture dampen the mood. Keepsake is truly horrifying. This film is a test of wills for the characters and also for the viewer. Can you keep watching to the final climactic reveal?

Most watchers will say no; yet, there is a niche for this type of film. And there is no doubt that Paul Moore is trying to appease fans of torture porn. These fans will not be disappointed by the many disturbing scenes. Thankfully, there is a reason for all this visual pain and that lesson should not be ignored. The tagline for the film: "Monsters aren't born...they're made" would remind viewers that Janine's penchant for revenge, murder and keeping a case of penis trophies was caused by abuse at her father's hands. All of these film elements and the others mentioned make Keepsake a difficult watch and suited for those immune to such troubling social issues.

Overall: 6 out of 10 (lacks entertainment value, lacks informative value, script is well written, great twist at the end).

This review was influenced by another(French):

Keepsake Reviewed at Devil Dead

More story details on this film can be found at Echo Bridge Ent.:

Keepsake at Echo Bridge Ent.


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