High concept Look who's stalking.
Plotline Serial-killer thriller that tries to make up for a predictable plot with the surprise casting of lovable Keanu Reeves as the bad guy: a suave psycho who stalks an FBI agent (James Spader), taunting him with clues about his next murder.
Weight watcher Spader's character is seriously stressed out by his job, so it makes sense that the actor looks lousy. But what's Keanu's excuse for looking so puffy? Let's hope he's managed to slim down for the Matrix sequel.
Serial numbers Researching his role, Spader met FBI agents and learned some unsettling facts. At the time of filming, for example, there were four serial killers at large in the Chicago region (where the movie was shot) and a dozen within a 100-mile radius.
Killing time The film's novice director Joe Charbanic got into movies via pop videos, and it shows. The Watcher is not a long movie, but it would have been even shorter without Charbanic's constant use of trendy slow motion.
Look who's not talking Keanu had a contractual obligation to appear in the movie. He doesn't seem happy with the finished product, and has refused to do publicity interviews. (Perhaps he should stick with this policy, because the film went straight to Number One in the US box-office charts.)
Verdicts 'A crass, mechanical attempt at a thriller that should have gone straight to video' - New York Post.
'Something no one should watch' - Washington Post.
The Watcher
Cert: cert12
