In my opinion, the worst movie released in the UK in 2011 was a film called Uncle David which was about a paedophile who dominated a helpless young adult into fulfilling his desires after luring him to his caravan.
And yet, here I am about to praise a film which has similar subject matter.
Not only that but Markus Schleinzer's Michael also has one of those frustrating 'no-conclusion' endings which I normally criticise but fits perfectly here.
Michael (Michael Fuith) is a paedophile. He lives a double life - a respectable insurance salesman but behind the shutters of his Austrian home he has locked up a young boy who he has snatched in order to abuse him.
Mercifully, the last point is only alluded to. And that is why it is engrossing as opposed to exploitative.
Fuith excels as Michael. At work, he is quiet but efficient enough to be in line for promotion and socially, he copes - just.
At home, he seems to believe he is treating the boy (David Rauchenberger) as an adopted son, although constantly scheming to make sure he is not seen by the outside world.
For much of the movie nothing much happens and yet there are a couple of seismic twists which had both Mrs W and me gasping.
In many ways Michael is a strange movie but the subject matter makes that inevitable. And, despite its slow pace, it jumps from scene to scene very quickly.
I couldn't say we liked it but we couldn't turn our heads away.
As said, Fuith is very good and special mention should be made of young Rauchenberger who is quietly superb.
Laughs: Absolutely none
Jumps: Two
Vomit: One
Nudity: One very brief flashing scene.
Overall rating: 6.5/10
Michael is released in the UK on March 2. Thanks to Jake at Artificial Eye for the advance DVD.
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