PHOBIA (2015)
Certified: 12A
Duration: 107 minutes
Directed by: Louis Cuschieri
Starring: Ray Abdilla, Veronica Farrugia, Peter Galea, Vince Micallef Pulè, Moira Muscat, Joseph Galea, Dorian Micallef, Stephanie Grech Mallia, Graziella Casha, Elliot Micallef
KRS Releasing Ltd

Despite his seemingly perfect life, Jack Dalmas is a man haunted by his past. He has built an empire in the hotel business, is happily married to Christy and has three children, but his experiences in the Vietnam war still haunt him and isn’t able to find inner peace. His two daughters, Ashley and Ednah are married but his son Dylon does not seem to want to settle down.

From the start of the film, the two girls are at each other’s throats with Ednah always saying that Ashley is her parents’ favourite.

Meanwhile, Dylon has a gambling addiction and is knee-deep in debt because of this, which makes him clash with his father. He owes money to some very shady types and he ends up beaten up and in hospital.

When Dylon comes out of hospital, he and his sister Ednah team up and plot revenge against their parents. Their tactic sees them acting really nice towards them at first. Meanwhile, Christy falls into a deep depression and Jack continues to think more about his past in Vietnam and seeks help from his friend Inspector Carl Borg.

Reviewing a Maltese film is always a very different experience. It’s very much similar to watching a builder trying to build a huge skyscraper but making use of enough resources to build a hut. It’s the necessary inventiveness due to lack of resources mixed with the high aspirations of the film-makers and the feeling that everything needs to be crammed into one movie that makes watching a Maltese production such a unique event.

The production could have opted for a simpler storyline, which would have resulted in a more unique offering

For local film-makers, making a movie for the cinema screen requires a lot of input and the opprtunities are very rare.

Thus it is very probable that when the occasion comes along, the producers or directors incorporate all the ideas and sequences they can think of and ever wished to put on screen.

It also places me into a very different position than when I am writing about a foreign-based box office blockbuster. My approach to these films has always been to see their positive aspects and hope that the production takes note and capitalises on them if there is a second opportunity.

To Phobia’s merit, it has a crisp and clear quality to it. This translates into a good-looking visual experience, with the car chases and some of the night-time sequences standing out. From a technical point of view, the flashback sequences are well handled and edited.

The sound effects and sound editing are up to scratch, even though at times the music seems a bit too strong.

I was especially pleased with two very strong sequences: one that involves a car crash with a construction tractor, and a car chase sequence that ends up in an accident and a car losing one of its doors. The latter especially was very well presented.

A sequence that involves the use of a mask is well handled and very much a surprise both in its execution and storywise.

As regards style, the film has a mix of drama and thriller elements which fans of Maltese television productions will like.

Acting wise, the film’s cast is very intent, purposeful and melodramatic. Ray Abdilla and Veronica Farrugia bring a certain experience to the film, though it was very difficult to picture them as grandmother and grandfather.

Storywise, the film is a tad limited in its approach, with the Vietnam element not seeming to fit in, even though the Vitenam sequences are well shot and good use is made of the bamboo environment.

The finale has one revalation topping the other that takes things a bit too far. The issue here is that the production is trying to make a Hollywood-style movieon aMaltese-style budget and sensibilities which can make for a very unusual mix.

The production could have opted for a simpler storyline, which would have resulted in a more unique offering.

Phobia shows off both the limitations under which local film-makers work and at the same time highlights the potential and passion of the local scene.