Xavier Gens (Hitman) has produced one of the more interesting post apocalyptic films to come along sense John Hillcoat‘s ‘The Road‘.  Intelligent and unrelenting in its examination of the human condition, it serves as both a warning and a psychological study of what is possible.  Starting with reflections of bombs falling in Eva’s (Lauren German) eyes, she is grabbed by Sam (Spaniard Iván González) and led downstairs with a group that make their way into a vault that Mickey (Micheal Biehn) is trying to close the door of.  It become quickly apparent that Mickey would rather not have anyone else in his vault with him and quickly sets out to try to dominate the rest of the group.

While trying to maintain control of the situation (and the food), Mickey only has pork and beans to offer as food.  Soldiers cut their way through the steel door and the vault dwellers are given a glimpse of hope — only to have that door literally welded shut. Thus begins the slow but steady unraveling, first of their civil behavior, then later of their humanity.  Much like ‘Lord of the Flies‘, we can only watch as layer by layer, piece by piece, people from a modern civilized world de-evolve into tribes, fighting over control of the basic needs.  Mickey’s control ultimately fails, and with it hope.

Xavier Gens pushed the actors to become their roles by having them live in the vault, shooting scenes in order, with little food to sustain themselves, mimicking exactly what the characters were feeling and doing.  The movie takes on some rather wicked and strange twists, but all seem consistent with both human psychology and  framework of the film itself.

Josh (Milo Ventimiglia) and Bobby (Michael Eklund) took to the suggestions with exceptional zeal and the transformation of Marilyn (Rosanna Arquette) from proper mother to degenerate is nothing less than astounding.  Micheal Biehn gives a stellar performance playing a character with far more depth and subtlety than initial  impression would have you believe.

Except for a few minutes, the film it is completely inside the vault.  An actual vault, not a set to be made to look like a vault.  Xavier Gens was interested in making this as gritty and realistic as possible by challenging the actors in ways that give an honest, if harsh look at what it would be like to live in those conditions. Lit mainly by the lights of the room, as opposed to large stage lights, gives the film a unique look visually.  While clean and bright, the corners and edges of light fall off, creating a dull half light that echoes the half existence they have found themselves prisoner to.  The sound, while crisp and clear, also carries an undercurrent of noise, from static of the radio to the falling of buildings outside.  It lends itself to enhance the impression while they may be stuck, things are happening  outside.

All it takes for bad things to happen is for good people to do nothing, as the characters in this film tragically learn.  It’s not an easy film, as you have to decide for yourself where humanity lies, and what the ultimate cost of survival should be.

Whatever you do, you should see this movie.