The Call (2013)

When a veteran 911 operator takes a life-altering call from a teenage girl who has just been abducted, she realizes that she must confront a killer from her past in order to save the girl's life.

Director:

Brad Anderson

Writers:

Richard D'Ovidio (screenplay), Richard D'Ovidio (story)

Stars:

Halle Berry, Evie Thompson, Abigail Breslin

1 win & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Halle Berry	...	Jordan Turner
Abigail Breslin	...	Casey Welson
Morris Chestnut	...	Officer Paul Phillips
Michael Eklund	...	Michael Foster
David Otunga	...	Officer Jake Devans
Michael Imperioli	...	Alan Denado
Justina Machado	...	Rachel
José Zúñiga	...	Marco
Roma Maffia	...	Maddy
Evie Thompson	...	Leah Templeton (as Evie Louise Thompson)
Denise Dowse	...	Flora
Ella Rae Peck	...	Autumn
Jenna Lamia	...	Brooke
Ross Gallo	...	Josh
Tara Platt	...	Female Trainee

Storyline

Jordan Turner (Halle Berry) is an experienced 911 operator but when she makes an error in judgment and a call ends badly, Jordan is rattled and unsure if she can continue, but then teenager Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin) is abducted and calls 911. Jordan is the one called upon to use all of her experience, insights and quick thinking to try to help Casey escape and also to make sure the man is brought to justice.

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Plot Keywords:

child kidnapping | 911 call | pixelated nudity | 21th century | child abduction | 

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Taglines:

There are 188 million 911 calls a year. This one made it personal.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, disturbing content and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hive

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,118,745, 17 March 2013, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$51,872,378

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$68,572,378

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Stage 6 Films, Troika Pictures

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original plan was to film in California, taking advantage of the state's tax credits. However, it was discovered that the waiting time for such credits was too long so an alternative filming location was required. The production team settled for Ottawa in Canada and were days away from commencing production when they were informed that the California tax credit backlog had been cleared and that they could film in the state after all.

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Goofs

When police remove Alan Donado's body from the trunk of the Lincoln, the front of his white shirt is clean, despite the fact that Michael Foster had stabbed him in the torso multiple times with a screwdriver.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Michael Foster: You're an operator. You can't do this!
Jordan Turner: It's already done!

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Connections

References Bridesmaids (2011)

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Soundtracks

Turn The Lights Out
Composed and Performed by Michael Kurt Jackson
Courtesy of Megatrax Music

User Reviews

Loved it - intense and interesting

The Call kept my interest and had everyone wanting to scream at the screen and tell the characters what to do and urge them along. The characters would alternate between overcoming their emotions and rising to the challenge and falling prey to them at just the wrong moment. There was a constant sense of tension during the 911 call and the walk through of getting the girl to safety. Be prepared to feel that adrenaline and tension for longer than your body is normally used to. You may feel just as drained after a call as a 911 operator does...

I really enjoyed the level of detail the film makers put into showing us the world of a 911 operator and what they go through on a day to day basis. It's pretty fascinating. I know I could never do that kind of job. That kind of stress day in and day out has to wear on a person and probably often hardens them.

The ending involves a twist I wasn't expecting, and gains my respect for that, but it was still somewhat disappointing because I wanted it to go further. Those who have seen the movie will know what I mean.

If you found yourself at all interested in the trailer go see this movie! You'll like it!