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The Call

Starring: Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin
Directed by: Brad Anderson
Screenplay by: Richard D'Ovidio

     Let me begin by saying that this is one of the most intense films I've seen in a long time.  If you're not into films that will have you trying to catch your breath as you walk out of the theater, then you might not want to read much further.
     Jordan Turner (Halle Berry) is an experienced 911 operator in Los Angeles.  She can't get too personally invested in each call she receives, but she can't help but to in one case; the kidnapping of a young girl, leaving her traumatized by what she hears on the other end of the phone, and ultimately being a cause of her leaving the call floor.
     When a similar call about another kidnapping of a young girl comes in a few months after that incident, Jordan takes over for one operator who is unsure of what to do.  Jordan is forced to help this girl over the phone while the police try to find her.  The kidnapper is the same, disturbed, guy from the earlier case Jordan had to deal with, making it just as hard for her.
     This is the kind of film that will make you want to never walk in a parking lot by yourself again.  It's also the kind of film that may make you want to carry a baseball bat in the back end of your car wherever you go.  I like that the film has this kind of message.  It's something that we don't see all that often, and I find it refreshing.
      It's really hard to argue that Halle Berry ever delivers a bad performance.  Abigail Breslin is excellent as well.  Both deliver performances so natural to the roles each plays, that one might forget during the course of the film at some point that they are acting.  They don't make it look like they're acting.
      The film gives a great appreciation to those whom our society often forgets to thank, but are essential to the function of our society.  Whenever there's an emergency, we call 911 without thinking about who's on the other end of the phone, or that they're human beings just like us.  The film also shows viewers a lot about the working environment for 911 operators, and how the whole system works.  I think this is what gives the most appreciation for these people.
      The Call is not for everyone.  If you like extremely intense movies, this is the movie for you then.  But it's really disturbing at some parts as well, so if you don't like things that disturb you, I recommend skipping this film.  This film feels like a roller coaster throughout most of its duration.  It definitely takes you on a wild ride.
      I give The Call a B.
   

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