OXYGEN

US, 1999, 92 minutes, Colour.
Maura Tierney, Adrien Brody, Laila Robbin, Terry Kinney, Dylan Baker, Paul Calderon, Joe Morton.
Directed by Richard Shepard.

Oxygen is a police thriller with complications. The focus is on Adrien Brody as a psychopathic kidnapper who buries his victim. This is presented in a credible way that makes audiences empathise with the victim and her plight. She is played by Laila Robbin.

The film focuses on the investigation, led by policewoman Maura Tierney. However, she has her own problems in relationship to her husband, fellow policeman Terry Kinney, as well as alcohol addiction and her seeing a lover. As the film progresses, the criminal becomes more dependent on the policewoman, although he has a more vicious scheme to bury her after seeming to be acting as her father confessor. There is a grim ending to the film.

Dylan Baker has a small role as an FBI interrogator and James Naughton is the wealthy husband who is demanding the return of his wife. The film was written and directed by Richard Shepard.

1. The title, oxygen for breathing, victims buried alive, the need for breath of the harassed policewoman?

2. The New York settings, the police station, the city streets, the woods, cemeteries? Musical score?

3. The film as a police investigation? The role of the police, kidnapping, scouting the cemetery, the timing for arresting the criminal? Having to back off? Police chases? The nature of interrogations and their demands? The manipulation of the police by the perpetrator? The ultimate confrontation? The final shooting?

4. The kidnap situation, the woman walking her dog, accosted by Harry, put into the car, stripped, the grave dug, put in the coffin, her fears, the torch? 24 hours of oxygen? Her plight in the coffin? The demands of her wealthy husband?

5. The kidnapper, his personality, behaviour, sadistic, dealing with Frances and stalking and burying her. Her wealth and the ransom demands and hopes? His nickname, H for Houdini? His reaction to the investigations, his response to Madeline, dependence on her and her investigation? His ultimate plans for her?

6. The details of the kidnapping? Frances and her dog, the kidnapper’s pleasant approach, his hitting her, the car, the friend (and his giving the torch), the remote area, leaving the woman? 24 hours to find her? The emphasis on Frances and suffering in the box?

7. Madeline, her job and her success in her work? The investigation of Frances’ murder? Her police investigation? Her superiors, the FBI agents? Contact with the killer? The relationship?

8. Madeline’s personal life? Her relationship with her husband? His police work, alienation? Her drinking? Her taking a lover? H playing on her sado-masochistic behaviour?

9. Madeline’s husband? The marriage, past relationship, the failing relationship?

10. The drama of the chases, handheld camera?

11. The final confrontation and H’s motives for the kidnapping? The interrogation atmosphere? The setting up of a trap, the cemetery? His being buried?

12. Variations on the police investigation thriller?