Candlestick

2014 • 82 minutes

About this movie

A social gathering is rocked to its core when host Jack accuses his best friend’s wife of infidelity. But as the allegations start flying, it soon emerges that far more sinister intentions may be at play.

A retro suspense thriller, the film is built primarily on well-constructed dialogue as well as proper positioning and skilful directing of actors. Paying homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope and Dial M for Murder with its sinister main character and single-location setting, Candlestick is a stylish throwback to vintage 1950s cinema with a contemporary relevancy.

(Bratislava International Film Festival catalogue, 2014)

Ratings and reviews

Within the first minute the acting and dialogue are outrageously bad and totally unbelievable. You hang in there hoping that it's maybe a spoof. Sadly it is not..... At one point one of characters makes a reference to 'Midsomer Murders' The acting, dramatisation, script, cinematography, costume, make-up and lighting make Midsomer Murders. In fact I wish I had watched an episode of the ITV detective drama instead of wasting 80 minutes of my time enduring this complete rubbish - and I hate Midsomer Murders! Although this film was made in 2015 it has a really dated 1980's feel and if you turn away from the screen you can imagine you are hearing one of those really terrible, hammy afternoon Radio 4 plays. The acting, by all involved, was wooden, contrived, stilted and possibly not even of the local village amdram standard. Hopefully none of these performers will use this vehicle on their own showreel as work would definitely not be forthcoming. The only good point is that for budding film-makers this film should be endured as a lesson in what NOT to do.

Director/Co-Writer Christopher Presswell has created cat and mouse game in the style of Alfred Hitchcock. It's a drawing room suspense film built around a handful of high quality actors and a malevolent conceit. The invitees to a small gathering are rocked by an accusation of infidelity, and the ensuing events play out with style. Candlestick deliberately references the idea of board games both with the game played in the movie and the title itself, which harkens back to Clue, the classic murder mystery game. I hope Presswell keeps working in the genre, making intelligent suspense films like this.

I'll start by saying that I may very well be partial to this films style in general. The trailer sucked me in from the very beginning. It's well shot, well acted and tightly directed. Given the genre they were playing in I was especially fond of the score as well As i'm sure many will tell you, any Clue (or murder mystery) fans will most definitely enjoy the ride. It's smart and well crafted. I'll be curious to see what other works the filmmakers have on hand or coming up. Give it a go and see what you think for yourself. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as well.