151. The Host; movie review

THE HOST
Cert 15
103 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong threat, bloody violence, language

To most of us, getting involved in a spiral of crime which will lead to life being threatened seems inconceivable.
But journalistic experience leads me to believe that the initial scenario of desperate bank worker Robert Atkinson isn't as far-fetched as it may seem.
Atkinson (Mike Beckingham) believes he is only taking £50,000 temporarily from his employer to a gambling den because he is convinced he is going to win.
Inevitably, he doesn't - and he already out-of-control existence hangs by an even more frayed thread as a consequence.
The Host makes good use of two classic locations - London and Amsterdam and what awaits behind innocuous front doors.
In London, the two key entrances are that of the bank in which Robert and his mistress (Margo Stilley) work and one deep in Borough Market behind which an illegal casino feeds his addiction.
Togo Igawa plays the crime lord who gives Robert a way out of his unpayable debts - at a cost.
The action then moves to the Netherlands and what appears to be a burger bar run by an affable if disorganised owner (Reinout Bussemaker).
And then there is the door to the home of a rich and mysterious young woman (Maryam Hassouni) who holds the key to Robert's fate.
The Host aspires to be Hitchcockian but doesn't have the budget to pull off a comparison to the master of suspense.
This is most evident in its unknown cast - there is no-one with the presence of Cary Grant, James Stewart Anthony Perkins.
However, it does build up tension effectively and does have some shocking moments.
Indeed, a strong stomach will be required.

Reasons to watch: Tense thriller
Reasons to avoid: Grisly scenes

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: Bare bum
Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Derek Jacobi first caught the acting bug at the age of just four years old when he was asked to take part in a production of Cinderella at the London Palladium.

The final word. Mike Beckingham: "The Host’ is inspired by the Hitchcock style of horror and the Psycho drama as well as many others. It’s a film with many onion layers, for instance presenting the Norman Bates character as a woman and witnessing the differences gender brings to the role."  Cub Magazine 

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