Camden New Journal - Movies: Vacancy

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The Review - AT THE MOVIES with WILLIAM HALL
Published: 14 June 2007

Luke Wilson, Kate Beckinsale... and the killer

A slice of horror from room service

VACANCY
Directed by Nimrod Antal
Certificate 15

HERE'S a macabre idea to bring on a dose of the shivers. You and your partner break down in the night in a remote forest.
You spot a light in the distance, leave the car behind, and walk a mile to find a run-down motel at the end of the road.
Yes, there’s a vacancy.
In fact, the lone manager informs you that you’re the only occupants and checks you in to a shabby room with the odd cockroach scuttling under the bed and taps dripping rusty-brown water.
Things take a really bad turn when he grins menacingly and says: “I’ll give you the honeymoon suite. No extra charge. Now yo’all have a great night!”
There’s a video by the television, so naturally you play it – only to find you’re watching a snuff movie.
Now for the twist. Look closer and you find the horrific scenes have been filmed in this very room. Uh-oh!
Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale play a constantly squabbling couple on the edge of divorce who find themselves about to become movie stars – dead movie stars.
Unfortunately, one good idea doesn’t always make a good movie and this creepy tale descends into a predictable slice of horror hokum, but at least Luke and Kate are a class act who add real quality to the proceedings.

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