American Mary's Deadly Charm: A Movie Review

Directors/writers: Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska.

Cast: Katharine Isabelle, Antonio Cupo, Tristan Risk, David Lovgren and Paula Lindberg.

This horror film fan knows the Soska sisters, Jen and Sylvia, through their previous work, Dead Hooker in a Trunk. This viewer was not a fan of this early work. However, the Soska sisters latest endeavour is a vast improvement over this 2009 film. Their latest, American Mary, takes some time to build momentum, but the journey to the blood-soaked conclusion is still an enjoyable time. There are some weak moments involving shallow characterizations and poor tension between Bloody Mary (Katharine Isabelle) and the villains in this body horror piece; yet, American Mary is a compelling time, mostly due to actress Katharine Isabelle's solid performance.

The film's story is diverse. Though, the central story focuses on Mary Mason and her difficulties with school and financial responsibilities. Mary hopes to be a surgeon, but there are a few roadblocks in her way. One professor becomes a little too rapey and Mary is drawn into the body modification crowd, out of desperation. Her skills in surgery are tested in illegal situations. And, Mary finds some murderous revenge on those who are not on her side. Several subplots develop over the film's 103 minutes. But, essentially, American Mary is a rape revenge styled horror piece.

Katharine Isabelle as killer Mary Mason.

Many of the victims in this film are minor male characters. The male characters in this film often seem underdeveloped. The first half of the film introduces a seedy night club owner, a vulgar professor and a mostly mute bouncer. These characters have one dimension, if they are lucky. This lack of character development makes connection with the events onscreen difficult. Yet, American Mary begins to develop its male characters late into the picture. The characters mentioned previously are given more lines, scenes and dimensions. The club owner, Billy (Antonio Cupo), even develops a psychosexual perversion or fear, which is shown through bloody fantasies. The treatment of male characters is somewhat weak overall, though.

And, the antagonists in this title are diverse, but equally underdeveloped. The most chilling villain in this film holds the screen for under ten minutes. This character brings conflict in the middle of the film, but the conflict is then resolved only a scene or two later. Where is the tension between the protagonist and the antagonist? There is little tension between Mary and many of the shadier characters. Villains are simply introduced when a series of scenes require a confrontation. For instance, a late scene introduces an angry boyfriend, who is not happy with Mary's surgery techniques. This character is found in two scenes, one of which includes the film's violent climax. Two scenes are not enough space for a black hat to develop, or to portray any depth of menace. It would have been better to have more consistent conflict between Mary and her manipulative professor late into the picture. Sadly, this is not to be.

American Mary does offer some excellent acting. Canadian actress Katharine Isabelle is able to carry the weight of this film on her petite shoulders. Isabelle often deadpans her lines, but she is also often able to portray a convincing desperation through her many scenes. Isabelle, of Ginger Snaps fame, also brings a sexiness and sultriness to her role, without this appeal becoming overbearing. There is also a deadliness in her eyes and nonchalant speech. She brings venom in her motivations and delivery, when needed. Few other characters match Isabelle's presence, but they are not given an opportunity to do so. Isabelle is able to bring her many talents to her complex role and it is a true joy to watch this actress torment her many costars.

American Mary will continue a theatrical release into 2013 and horror fans are gently prodded to see this film. The Soska sisters latest feature is a vast improvement over their earlier work. And, American Mary, despite a few drawbacks, offers a lot of bizarre situations, which are curious to see. The themes here often involve appearance, but any feminist agenda is, thankfully, left at the door. Instead, American Mary offers a few surprises with a bounty of gorific scenes. And, actress Isabelle delivers the required devilish charm and allure in this pivotal role.

Overall: 6.75 out of 10 (momentum builds through the second half, more tension was required between the protagonist and many antagonists, the climax seemed anti-climactic, is Mary her arch enemy?).

*this film was seen through Raven Banner Entertainment's Sinister Cinema venture.

A trailer for the film is here:

American Mary at Industry Works

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