Welcome to REtroVIEWS, where we will take a look at some of the movies of the past that we feel deserve a second look.
“SESSION 9” Delivers the Frights Without the Sights
When actor David Caruso left NYPD Blue in the 90’s to pursue a lucrative film career he probably did not envision direct to video horror films. He ended up returning to network television in CSI: Miami several years later. The rub though is this: He is a pretty darn good actor and “Session 9” is not your typical direct to video fare.
Availability: DVD through Amazon.com
The Skinny: Danvers State Hospital stands vacant and ready for renovation. Before that can happen though there is that pesky asbestos issue to be dealt with. Enter Gordon Flemming, played by a weepy looking Peter Mullan. Gordon owns a small asbestos removal company, and in order to secure a much needed and high paying job, he commits that his staff can complete the daunting task in two weeks.
Gordon needs the money badly. The stress of new parenthood and slow cash flow is causing problems at home between Gordon and his wife Wendy. So Gordon, along with his crew enter the old lunatic asylum and set about the removal process.
Once inside it doesn’t take long for the creep-factor to kick into high gear and each man on the team is affected differently.
As Gordon enters the hospital, he hears a deep whisper welcome him with a “Hello Gordon.”
Rounding out the team is Mike, the law school dropout played with vitriol and arrogance by Stephen Gevedon who also wrote the script. Phil is Gordon’s right hand man and business manager played with calm and logic by David Caruso. Josh Lucas, in one of his earliest roles, plays Hank, who has recently stolen Phil’s girlfriend and likes to bring up this fact whenever he gets the chance. Lastly is the young nephew of Gordon, Jeff, played by Brendan Sexton III who is crippled by his fear of the dark. So what better job for a man suffering from nyctophobia than to venture into an abandoned and dark mental asylum?
Life progresses normally for a few minutes until Mike stumbles upon a case file containing audio tapes of an interrogation with patient 444, Mary Hobbs, who seems to have multiple personality disorder. The taped sessions are numbered 1 through 9 and Mike, whenever he has a free moment, listens to them and slowly the story of this tortured young woman comes to light.
As we gain insight into Mary Hobbs, the very fact of playing the tapes seems to cause a stir of possible paranormal activity. Soon, the men are at each other’s throats, loyalties are tested and a dark secret comes to light that to explain would give away the most disturbing secrets of the film.
The Good: Tight script, wonderful performances, creepy atmosphere and a growing sense of dread and revelation helps elevate “Session 9” above normal DTDVD stock.
The Bad: The film seems to take a lesson from the David Lynch textbooks and doesn’t fully explain everything. Instead, the viewer is left to their own devices in determining what happened and why? There are hints of demonic possession, dissociative disorder, and something larger at work than what we see before us. The deleted scenes and alternate ending give us more depth and clarity as well as a more Hollywood ending where everything is wrapped up in a nice package. The viewer will most likely be torn between which two visions they prefer.
The Verdict: Not your typical horror fare. It is a smart and dark psychological thriller with almost all the violence taking place off camera. The pacing is methodical and works surprisingly well. The director and screenwriter have created a wonderful world where things terrible “live in the weak and the wounded.” Give this film a viewing, it is enjoyable, depressing and most of all, terrifying.
Release Date: 2001 Running Time: 97 Minutes Distributed by: USA Films View Trailer:
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