Effraction

Very obvious and predictable home invasion film. Nothing special or new about this films plot in which hasn't been done before. A wealthy businessman (Nicolas Cage) and his wife (Nicole Kidman) and daughter living in large house gets intruded by burglars wanting to take their diamonds and cash. The acting in this film is decent but several lines and moments come off unintentionally funny. Very little suspense and a plot that doesn't fully reached its peak.

Trepass wants to be taken seriously. It has Oscar nominated (and winning) actors, high production value, and a proved tension scenario (held hostage in home). Everything goes wrong for the home invaders, and everything goes wrong with this movie. I gave up when a teenager with her hands duck taped behind her back ripped it free with little effort. Have you ever tried to tear duck tape? The home invaders argue with each other like they care less about obtaining what they have risked life and freedom to get. The whole script seemed implausible and no matter how good the acting I just could not buy it. I thought I had seen bad movies until I saw this one. Watch at your own peril of being total disgusted when it is over.

I am stunned that there was an actual screen writing credit. The script meanders all over the place and never really gets anywhere interesting. None of the characters are likable enough to garner much concern. Fully understanding that is stars Nick Cage, it is over acted and underwritten. The characters are so unsympathetic that you kind of hope that they will not make to the end of the film. The characters switch allegiance so quickly, it is nearly impossible to keep track of who is on what side at any given moment. The weak plot wanders through the film like the Mississippi and leaves nothing but a build up of silt in it's wake. The story is so improbable, it is impossible to suspend enough belief to settle into the film. Save the 2 hours of your life for watching paint dry. It will be more satisfying.

My review of this film is going to hurt someones feelings, so I will make it brief. I love Nic Cage. He has brought some memorable characters to the screen with a lot of flair and style. But, with that said this movie was a cliché from the very start. It sort of reminded me of Match Stick Men and the movie Bruce Willis,"Hostage". Pretty much the same story line and ultimate climax. Kidman was really never one of my favorites. She always looks like she's about to jump out of her skin, but never does. Overall, predictable acting. Maybe Nic needed the money to pay off his debts to the IRS, I don't know, but please, find a better script. I would like him to do something more believable. Sorry Nic.

If you thought having high-profile stars like Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman feature in a film could save it, then think again. 'Trespass' is proof that names mean nothing and why you should never judge a film by whose in it. Home-invasion films have never been my thing but this one stood out as being particularly bad. The script is just dire and it's only so long before the constant screaming and shouting starts to become unbearable. Cage and Kidman, while admittedly working with some terrible material, are far from convincing in their roles. Too many of the scenes in 'Trespass' feel unrealistic and repetitive and there's a good chunk in middle of the film that goes absolutely nowhere. The constant crying and screaming really grated on me after a while and the credits couldn't roll quick enough. There are a lot of stinkers in this sub-genre, but none quite as bad as 'Trespass'.

I have been a great fan of Nicole Kidman since she starred in Vietnam, but not anymore. She is so pumped up with botox that she has no expression in her face anymore. Her lips remind me of a goldfish. Shame. I always found Nicolas Cage boring and without charm or sex-appeal, but I guess for this role he was also supposed to be a boring husband. There were no expression in his eyes. Why did they not run after help? Every time they left the house they came back again without the police. Avery Miller did the best job in this movie. Her role was more realistic as a teenager and the acting was good.

Down on his luck diamond dealer Kyle Miller (sharply played by Nicolas Cage) and his wife Sarah (a fine portrayal by Nicole Kidman) have their swanky mansion invaded by four desperate burglars in ski masks. Director Joel Schumacher relates the enjoyable and absorbing story at a quick pace, generates a good deal of tension, and beings a pleasing polished style to the proceedings. Karl Gajdusek's clever script delivers a few neat twists and turns. The sound acting from the capable cast helps a lot: Cam Gigandet as the psychotic and delusional Jonah, Ben Mendelsohn as ruthless ringleader Elias, Liana Liberato as fed-up teen daughter Avery, Jordana Spiro as antsy junkie Petal, and Dash Mihok as the brutish Ty. A cool little nail-biter.

This movie actually has about 30 good minutes. Then it completely runs out of credibility, piece by piece until the film-makers reach a point of complete absurdity. . . almost making the ever continuing run of completely absurd incredulous scenes seem funny. I doubt this is the kind of entertainment that they think they are providing, however. Wonderful Nicole Kidman works way too hard for this kind of thing to have happen, in my opinion. The technical aspects of the film are fairly well handled, no question. But if you go to the movies to be entertained by a natural sequence of events leading to a credible entertaining story, this film is only going to make you madder and madder. . . that you are still watching it.