Penthouse North, 2013.
Directed by Joseph Ruben.
Starring Michelle Monaghan, Michael Keaton, Barry Sloane, Andrew W. Walker and Kaniehtiio Horn.
SYNOPSIS:
A reclusive photojournalist lives quietly in a New York penthouse, until a smooth but sadistic criminal looking for a hidden fortune enters her life.
Certain types of films seem to come in cycles. A successful film will always breed many that will try to ride on the coat tails of that. Found footage films as an example are currently all over the place since the success of Paranormal Activity. It wasn’t the first of its kind by any means but its success started a new wave. Home invasion films have also been very popular in recent years, on the big and small screen. Penthouse North is the latest entry into the home invasion formula.
Sara, a former military photojournalist (Michelle Monaghan), blinded in action during a tour in Afghanistan, now lives in a high rise penthouse apartment with her boyfriend. He may not be all he appears to be, as her pregnant sister believes. Upon returning from a trip to the shops, the reclusive Sara returns to her apartment and soon discovers that her boyfriend is dead, and she’s not alone in the apartment. Invader, Chad (Barry Sloane) is intent on finding something that Sara’s now deceased boyfriend had stolen from him and an associate. The associate in question is Hollander (Michael Keaton) who later comes into play. It’s fairly standard stuff, owing much to See No Evil and following the home invasion formula down to the letter.
Director Joseph Ruben is no stranger to the woman in peril thriller, having previously directed Sleeping With The Enemy and also cult classic, The Stepfather. Penthouse North is placed in more than capable hands. While he might not get close to some of his more memorable works, there’s certainly a surety of hand here and though there’s a degree of going through the motions, at least it ticks all the boxes. The film looks okay, the cinematography looks reasonable, even though it looks slightly more televisual than cinematic. There are some okay set pieces, though the aspect of having a blind heroine isn’t utilized effectively enough really. Some sequences should have ratcheted up far more tension.
Monaghan leads the picture well. There’s not quite enough depth to her character, but this is a picture that’s 90 minutes and needs to be no longer than that. She’s got the necessary inner strength which rises above her vulnerability. However a film like this rests on the strength of the villain(s). The interesting element in this film is a gradual switch-around with both villains as they go in opposite directions from the sensitive villain to the unflinching monster. Both Sloane and Keaton are good here as the arcs of each of their characters go in opposite directions. Keaton has always made an excellent villain when given the opportunity, such as Pacific Heights. This hardly challenges him in the slightest but he’s still effortlessly solid here.
Overall this is a passable thriller. It doesn’t come close to breaking any new ground. There’s a fair amount of going through the motions by all involved, but the ability of Ruben, Monaghan and Keaton makes this more enjoyable than your standard straight to video home invasion thriller. It’s just all a bit too simple really and lacking in imagination.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Tom Jolliffe
Originally published February 3, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
