Greetings And Salutations, and welcome to my review of Of Unknown Origin; here's the breakdown of my ratings:
Story: 1.75
Direction: 1.25
Pace: 1.25
Acting: 1.50
Enjoyment: 1.50
TOTAL: 7.25 out of 10.00
This little creature feature flick had me surprised. Delightfully surprised. For one, the story is incredibly potent in its credibility. It not only deals with a rat infestation but the troubles it can cause, let alone the physical destruction there's the mental assault to consider. Secondly, the direction is on-point and commendably captures the events as they unfold. And thirdly, the acting is excellent.
Everything should be grand in the life of Bart Hughes. He's successful, married to a beautiful woman, has a marvellous son, and has just finished renovating his new city home. Life is paradise until his wife takes their son to the inlaws for their annual few weeks' vacations, and ratty the rat starts scurrying behind his expertly plastered walls. In a few days, Bart's life spirals out of paradise down the plug hole of hell. Since this is a story about one man's battle against a rascally rodent, it's nice that Brian Taggert made it more of a character-driven piece. Doing so allows the audience to place themselves in Bart's shoes. It also enables his breakdown and mental deterioration to be displayed thoroughly. And, I have to say, Taggert handles it superbly. And though the times get harrowing for Bart, Taggert peppers in some humour to keep the audience's interest. Another plus is the use of facts. We see Bart head to the library to gen up on his enemy. What he learns is shocking and more than a tad disheartening. But this is genuine information compiled from reliable sources and not something the writer dreamed up. This realism adds to the credibility of the story.
George P Cosmatos is a decent filmmaker and tells Bart Vs Ratty faultlessly. He adds some appealing and stimulating camera angles, though he chiefly employs a standard point-and-shoot style, with some fine compositions and steady pans. He also utilises natural light and shadow, which adds to the realism of the story and movie. Additional potency could have been created by increasing the number of engaging angles and scenes. There are plenty of opportunities to display the damage the rat had wrought. Had these been captured in a more striking style it would have only strengthened the picture.
This movie is Peter Weller's, and he should be proud. That's not to say the rest of the cast are rubbish; on the contrary, they are superb. But this story is about one man versus one rat. And that man is Bart Hughes, portrayed exceptionally by Weller. Weller gives the ideal presentation of a man who has an unspoiled life. And as we progress through poor old Bart's trials and tribulations, Weller, by turns, takes him deeper and deeper into the darkness of anxiety and depression and obsession. It's a great depiction of falling down the rabbit hole.
And, for that alone, I would gladly recommend Of Unknown Origin to every movie watcher. It's entertaining, credible, full of realistic characters, exemplary acting, and admirably filmed.
Now, if you've set all the rat traps, get your arse over here and have a gander at my Absolute Horror and Monstrous lists and see where I ranked Of Unknown Origin.
Take Care & Stay Well.
