OXYGEN

Many movies that hit theaters for one week only and go immediately to video are not worth the film stock. Hence, it was a surprise to see an under-performing movie that has a good premise and good acting despite only a fair script and fair direction. OXYGEN is an engaging but imperfect thriller primarily involving the rescue of a woman buried in a box underground with only 24 hours worth of air.

Maura Tierney of TV’s TALK RADIO leads as Madeline, a New York cop who actually loathes herself and sometimes sneaks into a secret world of sin (thankfully not depicted on screen), resulting in implied adultery and cigarette burns to her arm. After a chase and shootout with a thug, her superiors immediately reassign her to a very disturbing case: a rich woman named Frances (Laila Robins) has been kidnapped and buried underground. Her captor, named Harry (Adrien Brody) after Harry Houdini, is demanding $1 million for her release. If he doesn’t get the money by a certain time, he will not reveal where she is, and she will die.

The money is delivered, but Madeline and other police intervene, making Harry very upset. He is closed mouthed and leads the police, and even the F.B.I., on many wild goose chases. Harry will only talk to Madeline, who he thinks is also a sadist because of her cigarette burned arms. Through some trickery, Harry escapes the police station with Madeline as a hostage in an attempt to create an even more spectacular crime, but Madeline and Frances have a few tricks of their own.

With a life hanging in the balance, this movie holds its suspense adequately. Fine acting adds credibility to the scenario. Though the burial scene is very difficult to watch, most of the movie is void of violence and gruesome images and instead focuses on the interplay between cop and criminal. Madeline does have a sadistic side (for which she seeks treatment with her husband at the end), and so she can understand Harry to a degree. Harry’s interest in Madeline is his downfall.

Drawbacks of this movie are poor direction and slightly dumb dialogue. Shots of Frances underground are also disappointing. She doesn’t pray or seek God, but busies herself reciting nursery rhymes. The well-known line is “There are no atheists in foxholes,” but Frances shows no interest at all in reviving her faith even in the face of death.

Entertainment wise, OXYGEN ranks as good as the recent BONE COLLECTOR or DOUBLE JEOPARDY. Yet, its hard exterior about crime and criminals makes it a difficult piece for many. However, it does demonstrate that good actors with a good premise can make a poor movie better.