The Tall Man (2012)

When her child goes missing, a mother looks to unravel the legend of the Tall Man, an entity who allegedly abducts children.

Director:

Pascal Laugier

Writer:

Pascal Laugier

Stars:

Jessica Biel, Jodelle Ferland, Stephen McHattie

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessica Biel	...	Julia Denning
Jodelle Ferland	...	Jenny
Stephen McHattie	...	Lieutenant Dodd
William B. Davis	...	Sheriff Chestnut
Samantha Ferris	...	Tracy
Colleen Wheeler	...	Mrs. Johnson
Eve Harlow	...	Christine
Janet Wright	...	Trish
Ferne Downey	...	Lady / Mrs. Parker Leigh
John Mann	...	Douglas
Teach Grant	...	Steven
Garwin Sanford	...	Robert
Jakob Davies	...	David
Lucas Myers	...	Deputy Campbell
Pat Henman	...	Nurse at police Infirmary

Storyline

This film is about a legend that has been started by the town folk of Cold Rock. Since the children in the town have been going missing, people have said it's an entity known as 'The Tall Man' who has been taking them. Julia Denning ('Jessica Biel' ) is the local nurse whose husband died years earlier. She is soon personally involved as her child is taken. She tries to track down where the child is taken, but finds that there's more to what's happening than she knew. The towns-folk start to turn on her and the truth comes out. But there's still more to the story--who is 'The Tall Man'? And what is the truth behind the disappearances?

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Plot Keywords:

children | urban legend | riding on the outside of a car | car crash | bouquet of roses | 

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Taglines:

Fear Takes a New Shape

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and terror, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp] Screamworks Records [se]

Country:

USA Canada France

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 September 2012 (France)

Also Known As:

El hombre de las sombras

Filming Locations:

Salmo, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$18,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cold Rock Productions BC, Forecast Pictures, Iron Ocean Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Julia (Jessica Biel) is attacked by the dog when she opens the door of the Tall Man's truck, you can clearly see the heavy protective padding on her arm.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Jenny: My world has changed. I try to follow its rules. It's a beautiful world, my new mother says. She tells me to hang on. That I'm doing well. That I'll get used to it with time. I'm not like the others. I guess they've forgotten. I can't.
Jenny: Every morning I wake up to the same thought of giving it all up and running back home. But I remind myself I wanted this life. I wanted it. I made it happen. I guess it's better this way, right? Right? Right?

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Connections

Referenced in Viande d'origine française (2009)

User Reviews

absolute brilliance

No one plays terrified like Jessica Biel she is at home giving the performance of her life when she is fighting for hers or someone elses. But there's so much more to her performance and character in this film. it's without a doubt the strongest performance of her career and one of the best of the year. I wish I could tell you what this film is really about so you can engulf yourself in the poetic brilliance of it, but I won't ruin it for you. Part of the films effectiveness comes from not knowing what to feel wherein lies the films thought provoking and urgently timeless message. The simplistic setup of the film is just this, children are being abducted from a very poor small town in Washington and the crimes are being committed by someone called "The Tall Man". When Julias' (Biel) child is taken she goes on a frantic chase to unravel the truth but as the twists and turns unfold the truth is more shocking and spellbinding than you can even imagine. Directed by Pascal Laughtier of the abysmal Martyrs. The Tall Man starts off as a brutal, powerhouse thriller after a brief setup the film quickly rushes into a nail biting chase film and it is completely thrilling. But as the film moves into it's brilliant second act you begin to question what and who you have become emotionally engaged too and than when the film finally blossoms open in it's final act it's hard to find the words to even describe the depth of thought that transpired through me. I don't wanna say anything but I will say this it's a courageous film that asks you to question who we are and what has become of the world we live in. As well as what is truly right and what is truly wrong. Most will be thrown off by the film but I'm pretty open with stuff like this especially when it's done so spectacularly. It's sure to offend some and leave others questioning what they just saw but in my opinion it was wrong to abandon this film to VOD release and a limited theatrical run it deserves to be seen and talked about. But at the same time I can see considering it's subject matter why it would have trouble getting a wide release it's speaks a very difficult language so hard for people to listen and understand. The direction is strong and the performances are remarkable besides Ms. biel in the lead Jodelle Ferland is finally given a meaty role and she does exceptionally with it as does the rest of the solid supporting cast. The film features gorgeous cinematography and one of the most surprising screenplays ever to come to film. THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR, ABSOLUTE BRILLIANCE.