Buried (2010)

In the first five minutes of 'Buried', I was searching the screen for some way for the main character to kill themselves. This should give some indication of how effective the film is in evoking a sense of fear from the audience. In much the same way as 'Paranormal Activity' succeeded last year, 'Buried' manipulates the primal fears inherent in every member of the audience. There are no cheap shocks or monster costumes in this movie: the tension during the film is built slowly, organically and relentlessly. Regardless of whether you are claustrophobic in real life or not, you will leave the cinema gasping for breath.

Ryan Reynolds is the star of the show, but in a way that many people have not experienced before. The handsome leading man is not an action hero or college stud, but rather a lowly truck driver named Paul Conroy, who is having an extraordinarily bad day. The entire film is shot inside the box, leading the viewer themselves to feel closed in and claustrophobic. Most of the time, the audience's sightline is restricted to a similar field of view to that of Reynolds' character. There are many close up shots where Reynolds takes up virtually the entire frame, helping to add to the feeling of being closed in. Occasionally, when there is a few seconds reprieve from the intensity of the situation, the audience is offered a surreal view of the coffin where the camera is pulled back a long distance. Rather then allowing room for people to breathe, this actually heightens the sense of claustrophobia, as we see Reynolds' hunched form engulfed in a sea of black. A lot of critics have found this aspect of the camerawork to be the weakest aspect of the film for them, but I found it to be hugely effective.

The pressure was on Reynolds to carry the film and he definitely delivers. There is a lot of depth and colour to his performance, as we see him waver between calm rationality and explosive fear. All other characters are represented through the mobile phone that was left in the box with Paul. These include his wife, the personnel manager of his company and the leader of the hostage rescue team on his case. There is very little exposition about Paul's past and it is up to the audience to infer what they need to from the conversations he has over the phone with people. It is refreshing to find a film that doesn't hold the audiences hand and explain things over and over: it is assumed that people will be able to understand everything that is going on by themselves.

'Buried' is not a fun summer movie: it is not something to go out on a date to, or go in a group to laugh at the screen. Rather, it is a serious film that makes sure that you leave in a different state of mind to when you went in: a little more grateful for the luxuries we enjoy.