Writer: Michael Medaglia
Director: Michael Medaglia
Be careful what you wish for
Some people wouldn’t consider Deep Dark a horror movie. It’s more of a very dark comedy that becomes increasingly bizarre, disturbing and oppressive.
The main character is Hermann (Sean McGrath), a failed artist who specialises in mobiles; the film has great fun showing the junk he produces in the name of art. When Devora (Anne Sorce) opens an art gallery in town, Hermann is desperate to impress her and have his work shown in her gallery. A highly embarrassing (and very funny) incident at his community gallery makes this unlikely to happen.
So Hermann rents a filthy, run-down apartment from his uncle and locks himself away to create a masterpiece. He’s on the verge of giving up when he discovers… a hole in the wall. The hole communicates with him and helps him create a genuine masterpiece (though it still looks like junk to me).
As time goes on, the hole exhibits a more human personality and Hermann’s relationship with it becomes stronger and even erotic. (If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, you’re right). The hole becomes possessive and jealous of Hermann’s growing relationship with Devora, which can only mean trouble.
This is definitely a strange film and not much actually happens until near the end. Its success relies on Sean McGrath, who is in almost every scene, and he carries it superbly. He portrays Hermann in such a way that you want to laugh at him, fell sorry for him and slap him all at the same time. The most effective scenes are in Hermann’s apartment, where the set combines with moody cinematography (Francisco Bulgarelli) and Medaglia’s direction to create a truly wretched backdrop.
It’s also remarkable how the direction together with the acting by McGrath and Denise Poirier (the voice of the Hole) succeed in making a hole a believable character. A character that by turns you feel sorry for and scared of.
At 79 mins, this a short film. However it could arguably be even shorter – we don’t actually get to see the Hole until 25 mins in. That aside, the pacing is good as the story builds up to an almost inevitable conclusion.
The ending is very depressing, possibly too much for some people. There is also no attempt at explanation or tying up loose ends. For example, there are hints that Hermann’s uncle knows more than he’s letting on, but these remain hints.
Despite these flaws, I enjoyed Deep Dark as a strange, atmospheric nightmare.