Descent

Starring: Rosario Dawson, Chad Faust, Marcus Patrick
Directed by: Talia Lugacy
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Drama, Thriller
2007

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A college coed (Rosario Dawson) is raped, and tries to piece her life back together.

Review:

Tim: Wow. I'm still reeling from trying to comprehend what I saw on screen. Before I watched this movie, I didn't realize that it was rated NC-17. The film gets this rating for scenes of brutal rape. These scenes are incredibly difficult to watch. One scene is so awful and so terrifying that it is impossible to shake it off.

Rosario Dawson does a very good job in the role. I can't imagine how difficult filming a movie like this must have been. She was called upon to show a range of emotions, but she's at her best when she's showing restraint. She does a fine job acting, doing all of the small, subtle things right.

There's really not much else to talk about besides the rape scenes. These are some of the most frightening, vivid, terrible (in a good way, I suppose) scenes ever filmed. The movie does a good job of conveying the horror of these scenes without a great deal of nudity. There is some, but it isn't gratuitous. No, the movie won't show everything- it leaves something to the imagination. This is what really helps the movie to get under your skin. Our imaginations are far worse than anything they'd show on screen.

I can't say I was a huge fan of this movie. Dawson's performance is good. The rape scenes are unforgettable and chilling. However, the movie is incredibly depressing, horrifying, and disturbing. The movie certainly achieved the goal it set out to achieve, but after watching the film, I have to ask, "Are we any better for having seen this?" I'm not sure. What I do know is that I was deeply disturbed and hope I get can some of this film out of my psyche.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Traffic, The Rules of Attraction, Grindhouse: Death Proof