The Passage
is a dark and mysterious thriller set in Morocco where Luke (Stephen Dorff, right) has been living for the past 3 months
and doesn't really want to return home.
He's recently been joined by an old mate, Adam (Neil Jackson, who also co-wrote the screenplay) but hasn't had a chance
to catch up as Adam's always out partying whereas Luke wants to see the sights which is what they were meant to do together
first, according to him.
One night, they go their separate ways and Luke gets chatting to Zahra (the stunning Sarai Givaty who looks like a
young Rosanna Arquette but as a brunette) after she approaches him while they're both watching a street story teller telling
legends in return for some money. Soon after, there's an altercation with some bad guys in a back street with Luke making
a run for it after Zahra disappears but once they meet up again and stick to more public spaces, she invites him to come up
to the Atlas mountains the next day where where it has the best views and also suggests his friend comes too, but Adam can
provide his own entertainment and can see that these two would rather be alone (aww... holiday romance!)
However, after not getting a room at the local hotel for the night, they stay the night in a small house thanks to a local
innkeeper (no, she's not about to give birth to Jesus without having sex first!) and after getting some kip, Luke finds a
long passageway from the bathroom that leads to... well, you'll have to watch for yourself but in a dark scene that's lit only
by a candle and the flash of his camera (one that takes film, not a digital one, as Dorff reportedly collects vintage cameras -
trivia fans!), you almost wonder whether he's heading for Narnia!
It's bloody well lit - or not, as the case may be, for such an intentionally dark scene and it keeps you as intrigued as the
characters in the film, and for a first time writer (Neil Jackson) and director (Mark Heller) they've done an
excellent job of making a cracking thriller that doesn't rely on a high budget or tons of CGI, and with a fantastic cast
that is two parts little known and one part, with Dorff, well known but is someone who doesn't seem to have hit the A-list
for some time which is a shame as they all prove their acting mettle here with great aplomb.
There were elements that reminded me of another film which I won't mention for fear of giving a spoiler, but rest assured
this is a mystery that pays off right until the end credits start rolling. And, as such, I am looking forward to seeing Jackson
and Heller's latest creation, Star Crossed, which has yet to get a release in the UK.
A couple of brief asides. The IMDB lists Dorff's height as 5'7 and Sarai's as 5'7с so she's clearly telling porkies
as she's shorter than him in the film. Also, there is a picture of Sarai on IMDB from the film, but the alternative I found
(bottom-right) is far nicer ;)
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