The concept of this film is a real challenge that Zeb Haradon really succeeded in. 99% of the story takes between the four grey walls of the elevator. During all this time, we only have one set and two characters. So, how come this movie is not boring ?

Well this is because Harandon has some great talents for screenwriting. This tiny space produces some big discussions between the two of them. Dialogues are may be the most important thing in this peculiar movie. At first, they introduce themselves to each other, they ask what they were going to do here. Since they begin to have a lot of time, Jim and Lana talk about many matters (sex, religion, hobbies) that would be important in a serious relationship. And bit by bit, they sort of fall in love.

The set is minimalist and the use of such a small place is excellent. Characters can't really move. The only objects are the groceries the girl bought before. The movie is realistic and at the same time surrealistic and absurd. For example, the director didn't hesitate to show that they need to satisfy basic needs : to eat, to pee, to shit and to sleep. It becomes absurd because when they're asleep, someone seems to replace their food in the elevator. So they just look like the guinea pigs of a wicked experience. Moreover, Lana turns into something electronic, just like in Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo, the iron man.

All of this couldn't have worked without the wonderful skills of two actors. Of course, that surely was a real challenge to be both imprisonned between those four walls. The dialogues just sound perfect in their mouth and obviously they had to give away a part of their psychological and physical privacy for the sake of the story. Sex takes an important parti in it and young Jim, of course, wants to have sex with the girl. Besides, he's a bit obsessed with anal sex. But this is no picnic because even if she has multiple partners in the past, she now believes in a religious sexual abstinence. We go further and further in the deranged mind of the two characters. The fact that they're secluded makes their darkest and deepest obessions come up. It gives in the end an eclectic blend of disgust, love, horror and poetry !

In the end, Elevator Movie is just a perfect little gem. It has minor flaws (1h40 duration is a bit too long) but it has so many great ideas and so many developments in such a reduced place. It works at different levels : comedy (some hilarious moments), drama (the feelings are well described), and weird scenes à la David Lynch. It is just amazing what Zeb Haradon achieved with so few means.

Directeby by Zeb Haradon. With Robin Ballard and Zeb Haradon. 2004. Country : USA.

Jérôme