CURSED

US, 2007, 95 minutes, Colour.
Christina Ricci, Jesse Eisenberg, Joshua Jackson, Judy Greer, Portia De Rossi, Mya, Shannon Elizabeth, Nick Offerman.
Directed by Wes Craven.

Cursed is a minor film from Wes Craven. It had many production difficulties, changes in cast, extensive reshooting, re-editing demanded by the Weinstein to get a PG-13 rating. There are inconsistencies in the plot, some holes, episodes left unexplained. However, it is entertaining in itself and is a humorous riff on werewolf stories. The writer is long-time collaborator with Craven, Kevin Williamson. Together they originated the Scream series.

The setting is Los Angeles, a fairground with a fortuneteller who foresees doom. There is also a television station with interviews with Scott Baio. There is an exhibition featuring the highlights of horror stories.

One of the strengths of the film is the performance by Jesse Eisenberg, using his somewhat naive and diffident screen persona to good effect. Christina Ricci is his sister. Joshua Jackson is working on the exhibit but is taken over by a werewolf. Judy Greer is a tough, smart and exploitative producer.

The film relies on atmosphere more than special effects, especially for the werewolf itself.

While there are some serious and scary sequences, there is more emphasis on the comedy and the touches of parody.

1. The work of Wes Craven? His career in horror films and continually re-working the genre? His collaboration with writer, Kevin Williamson?

2. The difficulties in production, changing of cast, re-shooting? The producers wanting a PG 13 rating? The re-editing of the film?

3. The title, werewolf story, in Los Angeles, contemporary?

4. The two girls at the fair, the fortuneteller, their questions, her different responses, who warnings about blood? The disregard? Later in the car, the attack of the werewolf, their deaths?

5. Ellie, her TV work, production, going to the exhibition, the horror emblems? Jake and his work, tired? The crew at the exhibition?

6. Jimmy, his waiting for Ellie, on the road, seeing the accident, trying to help? The dismembered bodies? The werewolf? Bites and scratches?

7. Jimmy, at home, googling werewolves, his having all the theory? His own imaginings and dreamings? Find himself outside naked? Ellie and her taking him in hand?

8. Ellie, meeting Jake, her suspicions, his behaviour and reactions?

9. The interview with Scott Baio, his image of himself, Ellie and her reaction? Joany?

10. Jake, Joany and the attraction, the party, her behaviour? The later attack on her, her death?

11. Jimmy, the reaction of the young men, and joking about his being gay, their brutality?

12. The irony of Bo, the tough man, Brooke and her being his girlfriend, her attraction to Jimmy? Bo arriving at the door, the attraction to Jimmy, confessing that he was gay? His involvement in the adventures? Being saved?

13. Theory about werewolves, in Los Angeles, violence? The appearance of the werewolf – contrived?

14. Jimmy, the scratches, the tendency to be a werewolf? Ellie, infected?

15. The final confrontations, Jake and his interventions, his being taken over? The confrontation with Ellie?

16. The role of the police, interrogations?

17. The tongue-in-cheek approach to the theory of werewolves? The performances in the blend of the series and the comic? The special effects? Variation on the theme?