Still Waters (Carolyn Miller, 2008): USA

Creating suspense is not so easy a task. Creating suspense that plays off unexpected beauty is a talent and a skill.

In the film “Still Waters” director Carolyn Miller captures the characters in a landscape that takes you to a time where money and liquor create something that’s scary and composed. Shown for the first time last night at Victoria Hall the film had the audience stirring in their seats while watching this noir-type flick in the darkened theater. Miller was present at the viewing and allowed for questions from the inquiring audience after the event.

The film starts off in the big city of St. Louis showcasing the pampered rich life of Charlie (Lake Bell) and her trophy husband Andrew (Jason Clarke). Shot in such a way that examines the life, the big house, and the fancy clothes in a classic spooky way. From their couple take off in their Porsche SUV to the family lake house where they encounter the skeptical Jacob (Clifton Collins Jr.) who is stranded and out of gas on the side of the road. Jealousy flairs and sexual tension rises as the characters are thrust into figuring out who to trust and who to love.

Bell plays her character, injecting the snobbish up bringing of Charlie and downing more alcohol in a day than most throw back in an entire week. Often times her silver flask is in her hand, pinky up, even during the boat ride on the calm, sober lake. Bell is classic in her deliverance as the beautiful socialite. Behind her big sunglasses and red fingernail polish she is a picture of a classic Hollywood movie star who believes it’s her and only her in her all to glamorous life.

Collins Jr. plays suspicion with his wandering eyes and leather motorcycle jacket.
He comes off as friendly and grateful at times making comments at the right moments toward Charlie, making sure Andrew catches them, making him perceive Jacob as a threat to his family and perhaps even his life.

Miller takes the camera and captures moments of terror and places them against a backdrop of polished wood and falling leaves. The white dress that Bell wears to the party is a statement of her extreme beauty, wealth and overall power. Miller transports the audience in perfect transitions from the glitzy lake house to an evil and murky bar. The scene where Miller focuses on a praying mantis against a dull porch light wraps together the thought of beauty becoming something chilling and life threatening.

Music choice draws from older films and only emphasizes the events that have happened and what is to happen. Again, the music takes the viewer to a time of glamour and romance. The characters fit in with the music and their individual performances give the sound purpose.

“Still Waters” makes a statement that a thriller doesn’t have to be filled with cheap thrills and dark corners. Eerie and gorgeous the film shines a light into the shadows that is the stale suspense thriller genre.