This is a film I've seen more times than any other. I can quote the dialogue verbatim. I saw it first about eight years ago on video. I knew the theatrical version was six minutes longer but as I never saw the original I never missed anything, until two hours ago that is. I finally saw the full theatrical version and I'm literally, blown away. It was a new electrifying experience. There is a moment within the first ten minutes of the film in which we have Adrian (Colin Firth) in bed talking, mumbling rather, to himself. It jolted me. I know the film so well that a new scene I've never seen before arriving at a totally unexpected moment threw me for six and yet, it made sense, completely. Adrian is walking a tight rope from the beginning and those few seconds underlines it in the most elegant, chilling, beautiful way. There is more, of course, much more. Colin Firth's performance couldn't be improved but the extra moments he has on the screen not only adds to his perfection but completes the strange and mesmerising journey that the "Apartment Zero" experience is all about. Hart Bochner hits all the right notes. He teases, he invites, he offers. It is a masterclass in seduction, trying to become what Adrian wants or needs. All the other characters that populate the building are a priceless collection of Hitchcockian, Polanskian delights. I'm sure a Hollywood movie would never allow its supporting players to have so much screen time but, personally, that's one of the many things I love about this film. They all have their moment, for an instant the film is about each one them. They are all "the star" when the camera is on them. I'm now waiting anxiously for the DVD release. I'm taking for granted that the full theatrical version will be included. I know for a fact that the experience is not for everyone - very few films are - but I, as part of an enormous minority, would like to live the experience in its full length form. Thank you very much
Review of Apartment Zero
