PLUSH

US, 2013, 99 minutes, Colour.
Emily Browning, Xavier Samuel, Cam Gigandet, Dawn Olivieri, Thomas Dekker, Frances Fisher, Elizabeth Pena,
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke.

What was Catherine Hardwicke thinking when she decided to write this screenplay and to direct the film? She had made her reputation as a film designer and then moved into direction, especially with Thirteen. She made quite a mark with the contrasting films The Nativity Story and the first of the Twilight films.

This is the story of a young woman who fronts a band, is disturbed by the overdose death of her brother, takes refuge in her marriage and her two children, but is quite insecure. A young man approaches to join the band, resembles her brother, is successful in performance, but comes onto her, seducing her, and causing great conflict – especially when it is revealed that he is mentally disturbed, an obsessive stalker, helped by his mother who becomes the housekeeper to the family.

So, a transition from the music world to the horror stalker world. Emily Browning is the singer, Thomas Dekker her brother, Cam Gigandet her husband and in the sinister role of the musician, Enzo, Xavier Samuel.

1. The title? Hayley? The band?

2. The world of bands and concerts, onstage, backstage, the group, musicians, singers? The contrast with ordinary suburban life?

3. The quality of the music, the music world, the songs, performance, audiences?

4. Hayley, her age, character, married to Carter, two children? Her close relationship with her brother? His overdose death? Her taking it badly?

5. Hayley, the concerts, the persona, with the band, singing? A lack of self-confidence? Brooding on her brother? Enzo, his resemblance to her brother, his initial impression, joining the band, his performance? His coming on to her? Sexual aura, dressed in black, eyeliner? Attractive and sinister? The complications, Hayley and a double life, leaving her family to meet Enzo? The effect?

6. Her brother, his persona, overdose, death, the close love, the effect on the Hayley, songs, trying to write songs, lyrics, and memories of her brother?

7. Enzo, in himself, the charm, appearance, playing, resemblance to Hayley’s brother, his advances, her response, the effect?

8. The doctor, the discussions with Hayley? Effect?

9. The housekeeper, Enzo’s mother, a presence in the house, the control, her defence of her son, going berserk?

10. Hayley, visiting Enzo, the deceptions? His stalking her, presence in the house, wanting complete control, her fears, the attack on Carter, the effect on the children? The ultimate confrontation and violence?