THE Cage is an astounding new reality movie where the major draw is its unassuming directorial and editing style.
From directors Felix Tan and Kethsvin Chee, The Cage is done in an impromptu style — with no accompanying script. Based on whatever information the directors have briefed the actors, they put together a show, often accompanied by real emotions.
The result is very surprising. The Cage is not the directors’ first attempt at making an unscripted reality show. They experimented with the same idea in The Game 1 & 2 on ntv7 back in 2012 and last year. While The Game was made solely for TV, what makes The Cage worthy of a big screen release is its role in drawing the audience into its unassuming storyline.
The film begins with six actors locked in a cage on stage during a live theatrical performance. They are required to play out a murder scene that turns out to be real. As the actors are thrown into panic, they shout for help from the audience. Thinking that it is part of the show, the audience applauds and urges them to continue. Now unable to escape the horror, the only way out is to find the murderer in the group.
The film grips the audience with an unspeakable silence, stirring only the intellect and emotion. It combines the very basic of human emotion and the abstruse idea of how people may react when they are confined and end up dead, one after another, for no apparent reason. It’s even more intriguing when the only way to escape is to find the real killer.
Hyper-charged with melodramatic acting and an old-fashioned whodunit slant, The Cage is as thrilling as it gets before being clouded with another twist at the end.
Not allowing any room for mistakes, the sense of realism is always present as the cameras (that are placed in various strategic places) continue to roll. Even the 500 “spectators” involved were believable.
But what eventually makes the film stand out is the topnotch performance of the 11 key actors. Their spontaneity is the main reason why the film is so entertaining and engaging.
Ilo Ilo star Yeo Yann Yann did a fantastic job in breathing life into her character. There are moments when the emotions feel all too real. When her character is asked to record a final goodbye to her onscreen family, Yeo takes it a notch higher by dedicating her tearful parting words to her real life daughter, Vera, instead.
Meanwhile, actress Wayne Chua who plays one of the “spectators” during the “live show” stands out in her performance.
Playing her brother is Kyo Chen, whose brilliant performance in the film deserves applause.
The struggles of finding the real killer seems real and coupled that with fantastic film score, the background music adds mood to the fast-paced story. The sound effect also adds intensity to the entire viewing experience.
The Cage works like magic, with imagination given free flow. Like any good work of fiction, it rattles you and stays in your head after you’ve long exited the hall.
That in itself, is an achievement.
NOW
SHOWING
THE CAGE (MANDARIN)
Directed by Felix Tan and Kethsvin Chee
Starring Yeo Yann Yann, Henley Hii, William San, Coby Chong, Adrian Tan, Berg Lee, Wayne Chua, Ernest Chong, Kyon Chong, Lim Mei Fen, Freddie Wong
Duration: 93 minutes
Rating: P13