It's Your Call

Last night I caught an early screening of the new thriller The Call. The film features Academy Award winner Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, and David Otunga. Remember Otunga from the "reality" show I Love New York 2 as "Punk?" His acting skills paid off; solid performance in the film. And Breslin steps up her acting game in what seems to be a more challenging role from some of her previous films such as Little Miss Sunshine, Raising Helen, My Sister's Keeper, and Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl. She did earn an Academy Award nomination for her role in Little Miss Sunshine.

In The Call, Berry plays 911 operator, Jordan Turner, fighting to save young Casey's life after she's abducted by the same culprit who successfully attempted the same offense in the past, among others. Breslin costars as Casey, while Chestnut and Otunga play partners in the police force. Chestnut's character is also Berry's love interest in the movie. Speaking of Chestnut, he's set to star in The Best Man 2 along with the original cast and same director, Malcolm Lee. It's scheduled for release this November.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, back to The Call.

Everyday countless people dial 911 for some sort of emergency. Unfortunately, some even call for reasons that pose little to no threat. As a child, I once called 911 for a Band-Aid. While playing, my cousin, Quin, scraped and cut his knee and began bleeding. In my little 5-year-old-mind, he was severely injured and needed help! We didn't have any more Band-Aids in the house; what would you expect a little kid to do!? Whatever the reason, we never really think of the person on the other end of that call. We have no idea who they are, what they've gone through, or how our call may affect their life. Yet, we trust them to get us through our situation safely.

Now I don't want to spoil the movie, but I will say this: Berry's character risks her own life - and job - and really goes the extra mile to try to save the victim. And so I got to thinking, if it were me, would I do the same? Could I do the same? When we see a crime or sense something wrong, how do we react? Do we respond to help or taunt? Nowadays, a lot of people's first instinct is to pull out their cell phone and start recording, sadly, hoping to put the video on YouTube or send it to the media.

I don't know if I could have done what Berry's character did in the movie. The film had me on edge throughout its entirety. It was definitely a nail-biting experience. I LITERALLY BIT AND CHIPPED A PIECE OF MY NAIL OFF! One moment I felt I was Jordan Turner, trying every option I could think of to save this little girl's life, despising the offender, chillingly played by Michael Eklund! The next moment, I was grasping for air like young Casey trying to escape from that creep. And of course, I yelled at the screen at the typical spectators in the film going towards the villain attempting to be of service to the target, but ultimately causing more damage. Shamefully, I have to admit, I did call one bystander a dummy. Sorry about that.

While the talent is undeniable, the sounds of the film really pull you in. From the buzzing of the 911 call-room, to the quiet of the call recording playback, tires screeching, phones ringing and disconnecting, and the thumping heartbeats, your heart will race with anticipation through the ups and downs of this suspenseful journey.

Let's just say, you do not want to miss out on this film! It's in theaters NOW! Check out the trailer below and when you see it, let me know what you think! Would you be able to follow in Jordan Turner's footsteps to try to save a life? It's your call.

 

Credit: "The Call" Movie Official Site