Pontypool
(2009)
Directed
by Bruce McDonald
Starring
Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly, Hrant Alianak
Shock
jock Grant Mazzy is at a pretty low point in his career. The disc jockey took a
job hosting the morning drive time show of a small town radio station in
Pontypool, Canada. What looks to be just another dark, snowy morning progresses
into something far more sinister when Mazzy, producer Sydney, and board
operator Laurel-Ann start getting reports of a strange affliction. People are
babbling, repeating random phrases with no discernible pattern, and then
chewing through the mouths of anyone close by. The crew gets more and more frightened
as the reports and come in with an alarming frequency. There’s something happening
out in Pontypool all around them and these people have to keep broadcasting,
even when the infected finally find them.
Pontypool
is a zombie movie of the most interesting variety. It’s more akin to a plague
movie like 28 Days Later or The Crazies than a traditional zombie
movie. What’s really unique is that the movie deals with a disease of language.
The infection spreads through terms of endearment, slowly turning people into
babbling maniacs that chew off the mouths of strangers. Essentially, these
characters are in a business that relies on the massively broadcasted spoken
word and they have to report on an epidemic that spreads the same way.
The
setting also helps give the movie its own identity. This is a zombie outbreak
as seen by the people who have to report the news. It’s a bottle episode, a
siege movie, and a zombie drama all in one. They only know what the AP feed,
police scanner, and call in listeners tell them. So, Pontypool ultimately becomes a movie that tells more than it shows.
Usually that’s a difficult way to make a compelling narrative, but director
Bruce McDonald and his cast ably execute the concept.
There
really aren’t many special effects, but the blood effects that are used look
good. Pontypool is more about using
mood and mounting tension to scare you senseless. While you only see the verbally
infected occasionally, it’s not seeing them that is far more terrifying. The audience
only knows what the people in the station know; what little info that comes in
from newswires and callers. The movie becomes a reverse Orson Wells War of the Worlds; you see how an
unprecedented catastrophe is perceived from within a radio station.
The
cast is small but fiercely talented. Stephen McHattie gives a genuine show
stopping performance as Grant Mazzy; the surly and reluctant voice of reason. Pontypool is really centered on the
character and there isn’t a moment McHattie doesn’t keep you enthralled. He’s
cranky and cynical, but also playful and caring. Lisa Houle gives a strong
performance as Sydney Briar, the morning show’s producer. She gets the chance
to play off McHattie a lot and they have great chemistry together (the two actors
are married). All the supporting actors also do quite well.
Pontypool
is smart, compelling, and god damn terrifying. It defies the convention by
telling all and rarely showing. The leading man is on fire and makes you
believe every minute of a word-zombie apocalypse. Find this movie now, you won’t
be disappointed.
By
the way, make sure to stick around after the credits. There’s a stylish little
epilogue waiting for you.
9 out of 10
