Hard Candy

   Paedophilia is a difficult trait to transpose into film, mainly beacuse very few people actually want to pay attention or sympathise with a paedophile. For me, its more of a sadness. They clearly didn't choose to live this lifestyle, it is simply a sexual preference that is morally wrong depending on who you are. I do not however believe it to be a mental psychosis like many, however. Many paedophiles are bad people, taking advantage of children, and they are wrong for doing that. But those who simply express their sexual opinion, but do not act upon it shouldn't be targeted because of their preference. And this is where Hard Candy fits in.
   Hard Candy tells the story of a thirty something photographer (played brilliantly by Patrick Wilson) who explored teen web chat sites, and forms a friendship with one of the girls (played breathtakingly well by Ellen Page, from whom I cannot unsee this role). They start talking. They arrange to meet up. Is he taking advantage? She is only 14. She almost seduces him. They go back to his place. There are photos of under-age models on his walls. He offers her a drink. She declines and makes Screwdrivers. She drugs his. He falls unconscious and wakes up tied to a chair. She has done this.
   She declares he is a paedophile, and she has good reason to suspect. He is the one who raced her to a next drink, he is the one who was trolling the teen chat website. He is shocked and terrified. She lets him suffer.
   That is the plot to the film, and it is terrifying. Ellen Page is stunning as Hayley, who can turn from chillingly calm to horrifyingly angry. There is a real uncomfortable turn of events. Is he a paedophile? Is Hayley just as bad as him? Who are we supposed to feel sorry for-the possible paedophile, or the definite psychopath? The direction really accentuates this, with cool static shots quickly escalating to shaky handheld shots.
   This is a very smart thriller. It ends on a note you will have to decipher for yourself but trust me, this one is worth a watch.

9/10