Film Review: Penny Dreadful

Although I really enjoyed PENNY DREADFUL theretelling when her fear may get the better of her.
is one thing that just bugs me.Miner is perfect as Penny as we see many
Director Richard Bandes' film has a very uniqueshades of her psychosis throughout the film.
and interesting idea (which he co-wrote withRogers in her limited role makes for a
Dianne Doniol-Valcroze and Arthur Flam) in that Dr.sophisticated doctor and an interesting corpse
Orianna Volkes (Mimi Rogers) is trying to help herthat haunts Penny throughout. My only fault lies in
patient Penny Deerborn (Rachel Miner) overcomethe fact that film believes it needs a kill every ten
her fear of cars, which is the result of a carminutes and therefore has several meaningless
accident that she was in that subsequently killedkillings that pad the running time and add nothing
her parents. Volkes takes Penny on a road trip toto the story. This padding turns what is an
the site of where the accident took place onlyotherwise tense personal journey for Penny down
the trip there is just as stressful as the fear itselfto slasher film territory and the ending is a total
to Penny. During the trip Volkes almost runs downdisappointment. If the film had allowed itself to
a Hitchhiker (Liz Davies) and decides to give thestay on point it could've easily have been an
hitchhiker a lift to nearby camping grounds. Theinnovative and psychological experience like
trip becomes even more terrifying as the twoSESSION 9 or THE MACHINIST.
women find themselves stranded upon releasingCinematography by Joplin Wu is an added bonus
the hitchhiker at the camp.as he really adds to the tension of the otherwise
Volkes is killed and Penny finds herself lodged insingle location of the film and original music by
the car with no escape with not only Volkes deadSteve Gurevitch adds immensely to the suspense
body but her fear of being in cars as well. Whatof the film. Flawed but otherwise a very good
follows is a psychological game between Penny,film.
the hitchhiker, and her fear because there is no