Forgotten Films: Cellular (2004)
Posted by Tony Farinella on 11.18.2006
Get off your damn phone and read my new Forgotten Films column!
Cell phones are everywhere and anywhere these days. If you go to have lunch at a fast food joint, you are likely to see at least 2 or 3 people on the phone while eating or waiting in line. If you find yourself in your car driving to work, you will view a lot of people on their cell phone talking to their significant other. Cell phones just cannot be avoided no matter where you go. I would venture to say that 1 out of 3 Americans own a cell phone. I have no proof of this fact, so don't quote me on it. I'm willing to bet it is a safe assessment and guess though. Who is to blame for the cell phone craze of the world? One person comes to mind and that is Zach Morris from Saved The Bell.
He was one of the first to introduce the cell phone to America when he used it in class on the show. It was a large and odd looking phone but it was effective and it did what Zach wanted it to do. He got in trouble for bringing it into school and using it, but America saw all they needed to see to fall in love with the cell phone. Nowadays cell phones are a lot smaller and easier to carry around than they were during their introduction to the world by Zach Morris. Now you have cell phones which can fit in the palm of your hand or even in your ear as an ear piece. You also have these gimmicks called "sidekicks." What they do or how you use them is clearly beyond me. But cell phones are almost needed as much as water by certain people today and they cannot bare to live without them.
I might be one of the few people who does not own a cell phone on this planet. Truth be told, I don't think anyone is that important that they need to be contacted 24-7. Not even the president or god should own a cell phone in my eyes. Cell phones are loud, disturbing, selfish, and a pain in the butt. Have you ever been out with a friend and you have to sit there when he or she gets a phone call and wait for them to finish a conversation? It's irritating, right? You have to look around and wait for them to get done with the conversation while you look like a damn fool. Not to mention when someone is not paying attention in traffic and they miss a red light because they are on the phone. Cell phones should only be used for emergencies such as car accidents or if you need help and are lost somewhere. For feeble minded conversation, it is just plain rude.
With all of that said, it is surprising that it took Hollywood so long to release a film about cell phones and cell phone usage. They finally did in 2004 with Cellular starring Kim Basinger, Jessica Biel, Chris Evans, Rick Hoffman, William H. Macy, Jason Statham, and many more. This also might be one of the few movies ever released that featured a cell phone as a main character. The cell phone in this film is just as important as the characters themselves if not more important. The film was also directed by David R. Ellis, who has directed a variety of films such as Final Destination 2, Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco, and last but not least Snakes on a Plane. He has directed films that feature cell phones, talking animals, killer snakes, and teens that perish. He has done a little bit of everything to say the least.
The story of Cellular starts with two different stories and turns them into one complete story as one story follows Jessica (Kim Basinger) and the other follows Ryan (Chris Evans). Ryan is your stereotypical slacker who just wants to hang around the beach and avoid all the responsibility he possibly can. This quality is no longer appealing to his girlfriend Chloe (Jessica Biel), who is ready to end their relationship once and for all due to his immature habits. She gives him one last job to prove that he is finally mature and can handle responsibility, but things don't go exactly as planned. He finds himself on the other line of a phone call that is life or death.
Jessica is kidnapped at gunpoint and locked in an undisclosed attic by a group of bad guys lead by Jason Statham. She has no idea who they are, what they want, or what to do. They have smashed her phone, tied her up, and will soon return to her kill her. Luckily, Jessica is a science teacher and she puts together a few wires and cords and is able to get a signal to Ryan. Ryan thinks it is nothing but a prank call at first and does not take it seriously at all. He soon discovers this is no laughing matter and he is her only hope of staying alive. The problem is that he as much information as Jessica and that is none. Ryan must transform into a responsible, mature, and intelligent person if he wants to save her life.
Ryan is then sent on a series of high chase adventures to save her life. He first goes to the police and they are of little to no help. That includes William H. Macy as a feminine cop who is more interested in beauty products than helping out others. He spends most of his days getting in trouble for having products ordered to the station. Ryan must also deal with a boat load of obstacles such as the cell phone battery dying, interference, rude drivers, and traffic. He is in way over his head, but he must act quick in order to save the life of someone he does not even know. But if we have learned anything from Seinfeld, it's that you must be a good samaratin. But did she pick the right guy? She picked a surfer guy whose hobbies don't go past sleeping, girls, and surf boards. But beggars can't be choosers and he is her only hope.
Let's run through some of the obstacles he must face as I mentioned above. The cell phone battery is perishing due to all the minutes he spent on the phone with Jessica and he has no battery to recharge it. He goes to one of many cell phone places and no one is eager to help him whatsoever. He uses a very unique method to get their attention and the charger that he needs. He also runs into a fast talking and horny lawyer played by Rick Hoffman of Hostel fame in a bizarre and hilarious performance. He must also find a way to speed up traffic and he winds up using some car techniques similar to The Fast and The Furious. Will Ryan be able to save her life? Can Jessica trust Ryan? Will the cell phone die again?
Cellular is similar to Snakes On A Plane in that it finds a way to make tense situations funny and exciting all in one. If the film decided to be straight up humor and just went for comedy, it would become overdone, silly, and tedious. If the film decided to be too serious, too intense, and too dramatic, it would take itself far too seriously and not be a whole lot of fun. The film finds the perfect mix of random moments of humor and comedy such as when Ryan tells someone to get off her cell phone while she is driving, and it goes back to intense moments between Jessica and the bad guys. The film has a real nice sense of pacing and it knows when to be funny and when to be a thriller. It is able to merge them both effortlessly. David R. Ellis is a master and genius at doing that style.
What is also nice about the film is the level of star power that occupies the screen. A lot of times in films like this you get a lot of TV actors or B-grade actors, but they went out and got some top names to be apart of this project. The film has a revolving door of great actors giving great performances. Kim Basinger does a skillful job of portraying a terrified, scared, and emotionally upset mom. I really wish Kim would do more movies as I also really enjoyed her in The Sentinel as well. I understand why she is not too involved in movies lately with her divorce issue, but if she ever returns full time, I'm ready for it. Chris Evans, who was in the forgettable Fantastic Four, is solid as the slacker who is turned into a hero and must grow up awfully fast. Chris Evans is a charismatic actor if he gets the right role and this is definitely the right role for him. Macy and Statham are also stand out in their particular roles in this movie.
Lastly, Cellular is just a fun popcorn movie. I know I use the term "fun" far too much, but I believe movies are best enjoyed when you are smiling, laughing, and shouting along at the screen. Cellular is a self aware and fun movie that has fun with its premise and we have fun with them. The film shows us our unhealthy obsession with cell phones and uses it in a full length movie to poke fun, entertain, and engage us and that is what this movie does to the fullest. I recall seeing this film on its opening night and it was a hoot and a holler to view with a jam packed audience. It never slows down and it keeps things interesting by throwing you in with the characters into some bizarre and tense situations. The thing I learned most from Cellular is never answer the phone when a stranger calls, it never ends up good.
How can you see it?
The film is out on DVD from New Line Cinema and it should be easy to find as the film was released in early 2005 on DVD.
Why should you see it?
It's a whole heck of a lot of fun and if you liked Snakes On A Plane, you'll like Cellular.
Why was it forgotten?
As I have stated in numerous columns, 2004 was a great year for movies and a lot of movies got overlooked, and this was one of them. The film did gross more than its budget, but I would have liked to see it do a little more.
