User reviews

Most audiences around the world would by now know who Austrialian actor Hugo Weaving is, after appearing in big budgeted Hollywood trilogies like The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings. The Interview presents one of his earlier works in an Australian film, and my, does he show off his acting chops in this.

Hugo Weaving plays Eddie Fleming, a simple man whose just been retrenched from his job, separated from his wife and living off state welfare. The film begins with him being literally yanked off his sofa chair at home, when the cops barge in and arrested him with strong arm tactics. Later he's told, that he's in for a car jacking incident.

However, Fleming pleads innocence to chief interrogator John Steele (played superbly too by Australian actor Tony Martin), who has a reputation of solving crimes, regardless of the methods used. It's one man against the other, as Fleming initially begins as an innocent helpless man, clueless to why he's bring held in a police station, undergoing an interrogation.

As we go along, we see a power play between the two men, as each try to gain one up against the other. We start to question Fleming's innocence, as he begins to drop various hints that he might be involved in the crime Steele is investigating, and perchance, might be the serial killer Steele is looking for. The tension built between the two is tremendous, and both hold court against each other. Also added to the subplot is the exploration of ethics into Steele's techniques, and the politics of policing, investigations and the conducting of interrogations and interviews.

It's excellent storytelling if you're willing to put up with little or no action, but laden with plenty of insightful dialogue. Weaving adds a beautiful dimension to the character of Fleming - innocent man, guilty sinner, schizophrenic, or just manipulator? You'll also learn a bit about the Australian police and justice process at the evidence gathering stage, and one in which Fleming takes advantage of quite skillfully.

So for fans of Hugo Weaving, you might want to pick up this DVD to check out his performance.

This Code 1 DVD contains the theatrical trailer, cast biographies, cast interviews with Hugo Weaving and Tony Martin, an audio commentary by the director/writer Craig Mohanan, and deleted scenes, one of which features an alternative ending.

"The Interview" dedicates most of it's run time to a police interview (Aussie for interrogation) of a suspect in a stolen car case. The interview is supposed to be a process where questions are asked and answered in an attempt to discern the truth of a matter. In this film, however, one question leads to another and another and so on until the truth seems inextricably buried and the usually clear line between good and evil becomes blurred beyond recognition. An dark, claustrophobic, artfully presented all-business psychodrama out of Australia, "The Interview" will prove an enjoyable watch for those into mind game flicks. With good acting by all, special kudos to Weaving for an excellent performance.

This is a must-watch Aussie thriller! Hugo Weaving and Tony Martin both have delivered an extraordinary screen performances... The story revolves around an official police interview, Tony Martin (Det St John Steele) is inquiring Hugo Weaving (Fleming) who is an out-of-job-and-broke individual and has lost everything in life including his wife and home! What is the interview about, why is Fleming picked from his home disgracefully by police and put into interview, all has to be seen and known. "The interview" will keep you stick to the chair and unveil the unsaid truths and nature of human beings. A MUST SEE!

If you've ever doubted Hugo Weaving's acting skill - then this is the movie to set you straight. Weaving's performance is spectacular, it's got a gritty, human tangible feel - I saw this on the big screen, but even on TV he still has that emotional realism you can't fault.

If you're a Weaving fan and you haven't seen this - then go and get it right now.

If you're a Matrix fan and you haven't seen this - go and get it now - you'll get to see agent smith on the other side of an interrogation room.

This movie is a non-stop discovery, you'll spend the entire movie questioning the characters, their motives and the truth of the tale unfolding.

I cannot recommend this movie strongly enough, it is an unknown classic.

Despite Hollywood being awash with good Aussie actors and directors, generally our industry produces worthless dross.

This film, however, is one of the rare exceptions to that rule.

An "interview" is what police in Australia call an interrogation. This is a movie an excellent psycho drama about the relationship between a policemen and a suspect in one such interview.

The acting is good. And the directing is good. And most importantly, the story is good.

What a pity we haven't seen more from the writer/director team of Craig Monaghan and Gordon Davie.

A battle of wits and innocence as one suspect comes under the microscopic lens of a hard detective who wants answers. Weaving and Martin excel in the game of cat and mouse but let down by a weak supporting cast that play on stereotypical roles. This would have made a great stage production with its dialogue driven script! The photography uses the mystery thriller genre with its harsh bright light pouring through windows and thin layers of smoke, sometimes reminding me of a stylized TV commercial. But lets not take anything away from Weaving and Martin who make it worth the while.

This production is stylish to the ninth degree with good performances (especially Weaving) - an interesting music score and super slick photography. There are moments when it seems as if the highly detailed, Gothic horror design of this movie - is attempting to make up for the overall lack of settings. What begins as a Hitchcockian 'The Wrong Man' scenario moves too self-assuredly into being a variation-on-a-theme of 'The Usual Suspects'. The script is highly manipulative with the police portrayed as vile, corrupt 'close-the-case-at-any-cost' types and a victim that alternates uncomfortably between innocent and guilty. When viewers aren't given adequate information to identify with any of the main characters, it leaves you somewhat indifferent - as if they're all outstaying their welcome.

Most lovers of noir dramas will find something to enjoy in the initially intriguing theme - although, at times it comes across as being too clever for its own final outcomes.

While the supporting cast is excellent, make no mistake: this is Hugo Weaving's film. He constantly keeps the audience guessing and easily changes his role from the victim to the villain by the tweaking of his facial features.

Hugo is starting to make waves in the international scene, and hopefully, if there's any justice he will a win similar success that Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce are enjoying. Roles in the Matrix (and now Lord Of The Rings) trilogy are winning him notice.

This film is recommended for those don't think any movie made in Australia (by Australians) can be worth watching. A very intelligent film that demands your attention and holds your intrigue until the very last shot.

Agent Smith (actually named Eddie Fleming in this film) is taking a nap when the police barge in, trash his apartment, intimidate him, arrest him, and throw him into an "interview room" accusing him of car theft. Soon a charge of murder is added and Fleming is really at a loss of what to do. At a loss, that is, until the story takes a few twists and we see that "the interview" is really a fierce battle of wits with strings being pulled from every direction...

The title may be a bit misleading for American audiences as it means "interrogation" not the type of interview you have for a prospective job position. That aside, this is a fantastic film that deserves notice. Hugo Weaving with the rest of the cast gives a terrific performance and the script could hardly offer more when coupled with Craig Monahan's direction. Taking place in only a few rooms of a police station for pretty much the whole length of the film, yet there is a genuine suspense and the film space feels as open as the expanse of the mystery at hand rather than cramped like the setting.

All in all, this is one terrific little film that should be worth any movie watcher's time. 10/10

Not Rated, but contains occasional profanity

A decent enough thriller, but it's weak ambiguous ending leaves you wanting answers.

Hugo Weaving acting was excellent.

Everyone else were cliche over-the-top. While the movie has intrigue, it does not offer any resolution leaving with an empty feeling.

If you just want to watch a back-and-forth conversation in an interrogation room....that is what this is and NOTHING else.

A claustrophobic, tense Australian psychological thriller that will have you guessing even after the closure. Basically has two characters; the suspect and the cop interviewing him. This is one of those films you just wish would hurry up and finish because it is agonising but riveting to watch. No special effects, stunning sets or killer soundtrack here; an acting tour de force by both the leads.

What makes this film outstanding is the script which slides and spirals down a path of almost unbelievable emotional snares and plot twists. The nightmarish flashback scenes allow no relaxation for the viewer, only a mesmerised state of fear.

The film is set for the most part in a room that looks like a cross between the 'Bladerunner' interview room and KGB murky, dust filled rooms of our collective cold war memories. Very atmospheric and full of menace.

The acting is intense and convincing throughout with Tony Martin (Wildside) and Hugo Weaving (The Matrix) really earning their acting dollars in this one. Yes, this does sound like a promo rather than a review but, honestly, I can't fault this film for what it is. Everything is utterly meshed and designed to create maximum emotional impact.

Brilliant !

This is an enjoyable suspense/psychological film. It's pretty simple overall but has some good twists and turns. It would be a good film to remake with more suspense and a more definitive ending.

A plot / story that keeps things moving . And cinematography with good acting performances that holds your attention right to the end.

A hidden gem, I got to know about this while I was searching for thrillers on Netflix.

Partly Inspired by Kafka's The Trial, a man is picked up by the police and isn't told the reason why. Then begins a battle of wits between the man and the detective .

Hugo Weaving, agent Smith from Matrix, is quite outstanding as the confused Man. His character evokes and provokes and definitely, this must be amongst his strongest performances.

The other actors, all Aussies, are quite competent in their roles.

The real victor is the script. It is gripping from the get go.

The feeling of claustrophobia pervades almost all scenes and is like an invisible , yet important character.

If there were one change that could be made, I would delete the last one minute.

Check it out. Definitely worth your time and broadband data.

What an excellent movie. Do not pass this one by: although it's virtually static (most of it takes place in a police station interview room, and most of what's left occurs in other portions of the same station) it is absolutely riveting. I wonder how many viewers of this movie shared my thoughts immediately afterwards: why in the world don't we see more movies of this calibre?

A superbly crafted, completely compelling character-driven thriller, I I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole film. The film is extremely clever, and without giving anything away, I am truly amazed at how skilfully the director, Craig Monahan, is able to manipulate the audience. What a ride! And the fact that all this tension, all this manipulating takes place among four walls, is nothing short of remarkable. Also, the acting - Hugo Weaving in particular - is excellent. No wonder this film won 3 Aussie Oscars. I highly recommend it if you haven't already seen it. Can't wait to see Craig Monahan's next pic.

Ralph Vaughan Williams once said that amateur musical concerts were very well in the way, indispensable to a nation's musical life, and all that, but he added that there ought to be a warning over the door: the public enters at its own risk. I feel this way about directorial debuts. Or at least, about a certain KIND of directorial debut: this kind.

It may be true, as one person says, that 90% of the film's running time is spent in the interview room, but it sure doesn't feel this way. Whenever things get interesting we step OUT of the interview room, and not for a dramatic break, either; most of the STORY takes place in peoples' offices. (Claustrophobic? Not in the least. I did find myself wondering why the Victorian police couldn't rustle up one or two working light bulbs; but maybe there's something to be said for the inky look.) Nor do Hugo Weaving and Tony Martin carry the film between them. If I have a complaint about the cast it's that there are too MANY prominent people. It's not as if it was even easy to tell them apart, they all resemble one another so much - in character as well as appearance. A film like "Sleuth" (1972) really IS carried by its two leads: their story is the whole story. Hugo Weaving and Tony Martin deliver excellent, well-paced performances, but what with the weaker script, and the constant interruptions, it's to no avail. And what about that first big revelation? It's entirely unmotivated, as if the director simply said, "This is going nowhere - let's make something up." Sure, it's retrospectively justified, sort of, but by then it's too late.

I don't want to give a false impression that it's a bad movie; it's really rather good, in a small sort of way. Just take the Vaughan Williams attitude and imagine you're going to an amateur concert.

THE INTERVIEW ( rating, * * * * out of 5 )

Edward Flemming, (Hugo Weaving) is a seemingly everyday guy a little bit down on his luck. In the early hours of the morning, his door is broken down and he is arrested for a crime he apparently knows nothing about.

Detective Sergeant John Steele, (Tony Martin) a cop with a dubious reputation, conducts a series of interviews searching for the truth. As time ticks by, it becomes obvious all is not as it seems. Does Edward have a confession to make? Is he innocent? Or is Steele stepping way over the line?

Writer/director Craig Monahan, with help in the script department by Gordon Davie, construct a tense and absorbing movie which is punctuated by a menacing soundtrack composed and performed by David Hirschfelder.

This is stylish film-making at its best. Lush production values, elegant lighting, the skilful manipulation of slow motion, all combine to take the discerning viewer on a strange and mysterious ride.

Everything about this movie works - fine acting, expert writing and imaginative directing. Craig Monahan moves the story slowly but surely - deft handling of mood and atmosphere.

This film has to be really watched as the usual over-the-top bells and whistles are traded for innuendo and simmering tension. The longer this film went, the more it felt like a return to classic film noir where true movie-making was about absorbing an audience with story and character.

'The Interview' has many surreal qualities due to its intelligent subtleties. However, if these elements are missed, it will undoubtedly fall a little flat.

My only real criticism is that the ending was a little unsatisfying. The movie built up such viewer unease that the finale just fell away almost making the whole exercise pointless. This aside, 'The Interview' is a rare film and should not be missed.

The reality is that this film is not for everyone due to its strict attention demand on the audience. If you're looking for a film where you can slip your brain into neutral then give this one a miss. However, if a sharp thriller where the narrative is driven by deception is your bag, then 'The Interview' will not displease.

It's always a good feeling to be combing through the DVDs at such a barren wasteland of product like Blockbuster and suddenly come across something that looks like of interesting: Hugo Weaving, of the Matrix and V for Vendetta, in a film with a title that immediately rings of Kafka (duh) and the premise sounding like a riff on something one might find in the Usual Suspects, only without the huge cast of characters. Watching it, it's something like finding a little hidden treasure in the mystery movie genre. It's not perfect, but it's got dynamite acting and a sense of suspense that makes one guess and second guess and guess again on the status of this guy Edward Fleming, and by proxy the stone-cold cop interrogating him.

It starts off like classic Kafka, updated for modern times, but the opening scenes are where the Trial comparison ends... mostly. Fleming is told he's being accused of car theft, which he flat-out denies. After being badgered for a spell to confess he finally asks for a lawyer, who tells him that he really doesn't have that much to worry about. From then on it becomes a kind of weird guessing game on the end of the detectives - did he really commit these *other* crimes he's suddenly admitting to, or is it all just an act? What kind of hell will freeze over if he's just putting on the brash results-oriented detective John Steele?

Part of the joy of the piece, very much like a chamber drama or something Sidney Lumet might have made back in the 1970's, is seeing the actors at work. Primarily it's the Hugo Weaving show, as he shows that he's much more than the stone-faced-ham of The Matrix, as he's sympathetic, confused, devious, almost charming, and finally really perplexing. But another part of what makes the Interview so fascinating is that the director, first-timer Craig Monahan, lets us as the audience decide for ourselves really.

While the last shot of the film may reveal a little too much and lessen the ambiguity that's built up (but oh, what a great final shot it is), we get to really participate in this mystery - or is it even a mystery at all and are the detectives being duped by a guy who has it in for them? How you feel about harsh interrogation techniques (though not outright torture in this case save for lack of food), or about the nature of this guy Fleming, depends on how you really view it.

And yet if you'd rather not take part in the intellectual mind-game of the proceeding, it's still got crackerjack dialog and a very good supporting performance by Tony Martin as John Steele. It's also got the good graces of not treating its audience like a bunch of cliché-hungry morons: neither of the two protagonists is entirely good or bad in the traditional sense, and right or wrong is blurred throughout. I was hooked from start to finish.

Why have I not seen this movie before today. Made back 1998, but still as fresh, as relevant and truly enjoyable today. The storyline is terrific, it really is a game of cat and mouse, the acting is terrific, Hugo Weaving gives a powerhouse performance. You question as you watch, you keep saying, could he, did he, and how.can they get away with that. Every detail, no matter how small has a relevance. Every character has a significance, nobody is there to make up the numbers.

Truly exceptional movie, don't miss it. 9/10