Phonebooth

April 5, 2003

Scale: 6 out of a possible 10 Should you see it? YES How’s the writing? Good Any gaping holes in the plot? NO What stands out? Moves right along without dragging on

When I saw the previews for this movie, I thought it was going to be terrible.

I was amazed when I started to see all the good reviews start rolling in.

It’s a good movie. It’s a tightly written plot. They didn’t try to do too much with it. I won’t give you the plot (that’s what going to the movie is about, right? And besides, if you want someone to give the plot away, you can read one of the other reviews) but they kept it right on target and moving along.

So go ahead, get to the movie, get your popcorn, and enjoy the ride.

  • Aron Dudas

    I think it was a very good movie, at the first sight i thought it wouldn’t be a simple film.I have never watched a movie like this one.I can just congratulate to the maker.Now i’am thinking about how people are able to make a movie like this.

  • jeff-o

    Yay! Colon Farrell in a phone booth for two hours. Sounds like a blockbuster to me.

    Even though I could never force myself to watch this steaming pile of horseshit, I still feel that my review is accurate

  • Marie Laidler

    I have watched a great no of thrillers in my time and this on of the best ones I have come to watch. Joel Shcumacher is on top form with one of the best movies he has done to date. He is able to make a movie which requires No special effects or outstanding work, yet he has somehow managed to make agreat movie using only a phonebooth. Colin Farrell is on top form in one of the best, if I may so, movies to come, and the way he allows himself to turn into the rougish, sly and sleekish character, and the way in which Colin interacted with Keifer Sutherland. (Another great actor!)was pure brilliance. I think this a great movie, honestly one of the best this year, and deserves as much recognition as possible. Superb and 10 out of 10!

  • adam burnette

    Although I was intrigued by the trailers, I was less than excited when the credits rolled. I wanted my money back. I was very bored with the static setting, granted, the phonebooth was the life-blood of the movie…(hence, the name) I think with a better actor, the director could’ve been a bit more successful. Colin Ferrell wasn’t the slightest bit convincing. That’s all I have to say about that!

  • Katie

    I think that the movie was really good, and I think that if you actually watch it, you’de like it.. I think it was funny, suspensful, and Colin Ferrell was the greatest actor for the role (and not only because he was ULTRA hot! :-p) So, I would have to say shut up to all the people ragging on it and get a life!!

  • Zee

    who was the killer? i am really confused!

  • nikki

    Hello.. the killer is the guy at the end.. the one who talked to him while he was in the ambulance ( dont worry people i didnt give it away)he just told collin to keep being true and if he isnt he will come back

  • jon

    i mean when u hear about it…a guy in a phonebooth for an entire movie!

    but Joel Shumacher never fails to surprise me,Phonebooth is a VERY well done film.It is one EVEYBODY is bound to remember.A MASTERPEICE!

  • Judy

    I really enjoyed watching the movie (okay to be honest…I can not get enough of it) and have already purchased it. I think Colin Farrell’s performance was great. I will admit, I did not know who he was prior to watching the movie, but now it is a name I will not forget. The plot was great and easy to follow. I think Keifer Sutherland was great for the part. ” A ringing phone has to be answered…doesn’t it ” Well done Joel Schumacher and cast.

  • darcie

    This was the WORST MOVIE EVER!!!!! I love Colin Farrel and I just thought it was the worst. The plot was so unbelievable. Hellllllooooo….put the phone down and run. It only made me think..give me a gun and i will put him out of his misery.

  • tami

    i think colin farrel is the bomb so i guess i’ll watch it for that single reason

  • AssMuppet

    darcie is a fucking moron, he was a good shot you stupid moron, this was a damn good movie with a good plot and good morals, so go fucking kill yourself you fucking assclown.

  • Puppet

    Worst….movie….ever…..and Ass muppet, SHUT THE FUCK UP. You have a 4 in 100 chance of hitting a moving target. Doesn’t matter how good a shot you are. The movie fucking blows. Don’t even waste a rental on it. PIECE OF DOG SHIT MOVIE.

  • JustaCritic

    After watching Phonebooth there was only one thing that disappointed me. The ending. I won’t give the ending away or anything. I would just like to say I think it sould have had much more action at the end. And for those who have seen it I think the “Lawyer” should have died. All in all I’d give it 3 stars. The movie was pretty good for it taking place in only a phonebooth.

  • Sharon

    Phonebooth is a captivating thriller that is elevated by Joel Schumacher’s directing and suspenseful photography by Matthew Libatique. If it wasn’t for the Washington D.C. snipers, I think this movie would have been a major blockbuster. It is definitely a “must see” movie. After viewing this movie, I feel more secure that I have a cell phone and don’t have to use a phone booth!

  • Kacey

    I didn’t think it would be a good movie at first, but it ended up being great.

  • Jose

    This is a ridiculous movie.Its got no meaning.Its gopt bullshit thrillers in it.It only has the word fuck fuck…….in it

  • http://none Ebert

    Phonebooth: Rating -3 out of 10

    Very sketchy at most, the film based in New York with a guy in a phonebooth (he has no hostages or visable weapon) and yet the NYPD thinking he shot a man, stay back and reason with him. This is not even realistic. The NYPD would have taken him before he even knew they were coming.

    Its also pretty strange that no one noticed that the guy in yellow was shot in the back but facing front on to the guy they accused of shooting him. Yeah I can understand in the heat of the moment someone jumping to a conclusion, but when someone facing you is shot and bleeding from the back but no visable wounds in the front, you got to think someone would have caught on.

    Lastly, the sniper kept changing trajectory. He said he could see every key that Will was pushing on the phone (lets say from the east) then when he first puts his laser pointer on Will’s chest his trajectory would have to be that he is coming from the west (on the opposing side of the phone where he could not possibly see the keypad)

    I realize this is just a movie and would be no where close to real life, but the movie had more holes than swiss cheese and stunk nearly as badly.

    would not recommend, even as a rental.

  • mick & teresa wheeler

    very boring movie…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….. we rented it on dvd fast forwarded most of it and still did not miss the plot. not a bad ending though,,,,,

  • http://9outof10 jessy

    COLLIN FERREL IS SO SO SO SO SO SO SO HOTT!THE MOVIE WAS AWSOME BECUZ OF HIM!

  • Gabby

    I think It was one of the best movies, Colin Farrell is such a great choice for the role of Stu because he is such a great actor and shows such emotion in it he even breaks down and cries. Colin Farrell is so great in this movie I reccomend it to everyone

  • Melanie

    What can you say about a moivie that is not only a thriller, but has a great actor like Colin Farrell in it. It was full of suspense and you couldn’t help feeling sorry for Stu(Farrell) because he was so scared and started to cry.

  • shempelentong

    the movie is totally perplexing and i find the plot very corny.it was only on the editing and performance style that made the movie looks good.Plus, in the ending, when farrell was in the ambulance, the sniper appeared to him w/ his gun packed. I find this scene awkward. Why? The police has already secured the sniper’s area and his gun was left there! How come the sniper got back his gun when the police has already secured the fucking sniper’s area? It’s totally a shit!

  • seti

    For the person up there who said that he should have put down the phone in order to run: First off he killed the bouncer, who was moving, with deadly accuracy. Granted, Collin would have been moving faster if he was running, but what about JFK? He was in a moving car (not going at top speed, but still moving pretty quickly) and he was killed, then isn’t it possible that there are soldiers out there trained to snipe running targets in an urban environment? I bet you the CIA has trained more than a handful of those.

  • Tito

    The fact is the snipper had already stated that he knew his address, where his wife worked, etc. he knew so much personal information it didn’t matter if he ran. He had already shown he could find him.

  • rachal john

    yah…its really nice movie.i like it very much.the hero is very cute.and his acting is really appreciable.the movie is quite interesting. the vilom is also have very interesting style.especially at end when he come to hero.its really nice scene.

  • Mark

    Enjoyed the story & performances despite several plot holes: 1. No police on the beat in this busy area? 2. Took at least 5 minutes or real time for police to arrive. 3. When sniper reveals himself to Stuart/Colin as he lies in the ambulance, why does he not react and at least yell something like: “There’s the bastard!!” 4. How/when did the (real) sniper kill the pizza guy?

  • G3CK0

    he didnt yell for someone to get the sniper because he was injected with something “we’ll be driving, and you’ll be flying” thats what the medic told colin’s character-remember? for the person who was all like “the police couldnt find a weapon on him so they should have believed him…the ppl should have seen the shot came from behind” shut up-that amadu diallo guy (sorry for misspelling) pulled out a damn wallet and the cops thought it was a gun-nypd arent the smartest tools in the shed. and if u saw someone get shot, would u bother to check to see where it came from when the victim was struggling with someone else? i highly doubt it, unless ure like that guy from the show “monk” its a movie guys, and its a great movie…thats my two cents

  • doity

    The only people who would actually like and appreciate this movie are girls age 12-16 because of colin and males with an I.Q. below 60. It was unrealistic, unbelievable and colin lacked any depth in his acting ability. Just because a movie is suspenceful doesnt mean its good.

  • Cathy

    Best Movie EVER! Not because of Colin Farrell… because of Kiefer Sutherland! Superb “acting”! It’s hard enough to be convincing when you’re allowed to express yourself though actions and facial expressions, but he just had his voice and I thought he did a marvellous job! He made the movie for me~! :)

  • Tracy

    I guess this movie is was ok to watch , not the WORST one I have ever seen, but not one i would highly recommend. Actually i found it sort of amusing, especially how the caller was so witty and made Stu repeat EXACTLY what he told him too. I guess the moral of the story was ya never know when someone has been watching you and decides your a major asshole that needs to punished…..makes ya wonder?

  • Moyo

    When i saw the preview i was like this is the movie to watch and when i finally watched it, it surpassed my greatest expectation. The movie was lovely. Collin Farrel was superb and so was Forest Whitaker and Kiefer Sutherland this movie is the best i have seen in a long time .

  • Moyo

    When i saw the preview i was like this is the movie to watch and when i finally watched it, it surpassed my greatest expectation. The movie was lovely. Collin Farrel was superb and so was Forest Whitaker and Kiefer Sutherland this movie is the best i have seen in a long time .

  • Julie

    I say this movie on Saturday when i rented it out from mi local video store and it was so AMAZING that i ended up watching it 3 times thats nite YES THATS RITE 3 TIMES….and yes i do hav a life….anyway i must congradulate the writers and directors for makin such an AMAZING movie onli one problem wat was the whole good cop bad cop thing all about wif the black police man and the white 1? I was so confused about it all. Anyway it was a BRILLIANT film and i’ll watch it again and again and again…till the day i die….or until i get bored of it…..either way.

  • Matt

    He’s a good actor, phone booth was tight, and his charecter on Dare devil -Bullseye- was badass. i like him, im irish and its bout time there was a good irish actor representing like me……Matt

  • Craigie

    What a great film. I mean how can you say it’s not, the tensity was terrific, the suspense was super, the plot was perfect and Mr Farrell was fabulous. 10/10

  • http://tntluoma.com TjL

    OK folks, feel free to post your thoughts, but if they are poorly written, full of inappropriate language, or otherwise objectionable (as decided by me, as it is my site) then it will be deleted. Continue to post it and your IP will be banned and your ISP will be notified.

  • http://www.toniart.50megs.com petergirl

    saw the movie last weekend.it wasn’t the most amazing-o-god-i-cant-believe-that-shit-happens sorta stuff,but it was well written.best script iv ever seen done,very funny(Sutherland) and fast paced.great to watch big screen9not just coz farrell’s cute!).id recommend it.7 out of 10.

  • Sugarnspice78

    I thought this movie rocked!! Yes farell is SOO fuckin hot lol but thats not why the movie was great! its full of suspence, humor, action, and drama its great! When i saw the previews i thought the movie would be a piece of shit i mean a whole movie in a phonebooth how gay but its really good i would give it a 9/10! GO SEE IT!!

  • NZu

    I couldn’t help but think that it was all a bit pointless. Yeah, I’m sure that many would think that it was riveting, what with the whole confession thing - but a film about a sniper trapping a guy in a phone booth could have a hell of a better plot than a guy admitting to his affairs and lies. Morals about honesty are a bit too fundamental for a film like this.

  • Jenn

    I saw it with muh boyfriend and his parents… his dad was really tired and was tired of hearing the “f” word if ya know what I mean… but I really enjoyed the movie. It was awesome! I give it a 9 outta 10. It was soo cool and I recommend u to rent it!

  • Amy

    oh my god! that i think is the WORST movie in the entire world! the WHOLE movie was in a freaking phonebooth and i was ready to fall asleep. it reminded me of a freaking play because there was only one setting in the whole movie! it was a total waste of time for me and it was getting really really annoying after they said the “f” word about 9 million times!! every single word!! “f you f’in f’er!” god it gets me sick!

  • KONG

    I liked the movie… Its funny just to make a film in a PhoneBooth..

  • pogga

    trying to find funky house track at start of movie. just after singers on street. dance music

  • Jake

    You know what would be a good sequal to this movie? They should have Colin Farrell go into the force or something and on his own hunt down the sniper guy who terrorized him and do the same thing back to him. If anyone might know anybody who could give this advice to the producer or anything than please do. I think this would be neat.

    Jake

  • Mayo

    I thought this movie was pretty clever. The sniper obviously must have been a genius in order to think of all these tactics for each possible scenario to keep him trapped in the phone booth, as well as pretty damn insane. Regardless, I thought this movie was pretty good, despite the fact that “fuck” was used practically every other word (My mother got fed up with hearing it, as she is easily offended by cursing, and left the room.). Like it was previously mentioned, I think moral values are a bit too fundamental as well as forgotton in most cases for this movie. However, I’d rate this movie a 6.5-7 out of 10.

  • Fallsy

    I thought this was the most average movie I have seen in a long time.

    Could somebody please explain why any New Yorker would believe that a gun planted in a phone booth could be linked to a sniper shooting, when you were standing in the phone booth???? Aren’t all gun barrels like individual signatures???

    Also, perhaps an NRA member could enlighten me, but don’t bolt action rifles take a more time to reload and, if a sniper was aiming and shot someone 20 feet to either side of you, then the sniper would need to be a pretty damn good shot to reload and nail you while legging it flat out for the nearest doorway.

    This movie made me want to vomit.

    3/10 is all it deserves.

  • Chris

    Awesome movie, but apperently most of you (especially those that didn’t like it) did not understand it.

    1. There is no gun signature, because the bullet from the sniper rifle disintigrates on contact. Can’t prove either way that it come from any gun. Besides, regular police wouldn’t be investigation that, that’s for the forensics and ballistics investigation depts.

    2. If you were in this situation, you’re going to say fuck plenty of times. Get over it. You would also not make a run for it. You’ve already seen this guy shoot someone, you don’t know his capabilities and you’re not going to test them. If you’ve ever played a video game like Socom or Max Payne, you’ll know it’s not that hard to snipe a moving target.

    3. No police saw the shooting, so how do they know that the bouncer didn’t turn around and then Stu shot him. It’s a little thing reasonable doubt. All the police know is that somebody was shot and Stu is the lead suspect. They can’t search Stu because the Sniper has Stu tell them to back off.

    It basically seems to me that people who have short attention spans didn’t like the movie, because many you have posted negative comments are trying to find holes in the plot that just aren’t there. This shows that you just obviously weren’t paying attention.

  • http://aboutagirl.iwarp.com Laurie

    I didn’t see the movie…But the colorful language in these posts are enough entertainment for me! LoL @ assclown…

  • Mark Laidler

    Wot a movie! I saw the title and trailer, which in all truthfulness did not get me going. And so I thought the movie would be boring and pretty predictable.

    But No! Yet again Joel Schumacer shows us the reason he his such an inspiring writer. The Phonebooth idea was amazingly well thought out. The hatred you feel for colin farrells character is amazing as you see, and the way your hatred for this character turns to Love for the character is all the more amazing.

    One of Colin Farrells most best movie attempts so far, the way he makes the character Stuart come alive is breath taking and once again Kiefer Sutherland proves you dont need to be in the movie to work your magic as his sinister take on the bad guy plays off so well.

    Its a story that worked on a brilliantly scale, the plot simple yet very effective and your admirity to the performances makes the film and plot all the more amazing. Phonebooth is one of the most gripping, edge of your seat films of this year and deserves any recogniton to come its way. Joel shumacacer has done it again well worth seeing !!!

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