Notebook Reviews: 8MM

Joel Schumacher – 1998.

The always interesting Nicolas Cage is on tip-top form in Joel Schumacher‘s neo-noir, 8mm. It’s a highly thrilling and gritty detective film which delves into the dark world of the ‘snuff movie’.

Schumacher directs with great skill and the film looks great with it’s muted colours punctuated with the director’s trademark neon settings. The script comes from Andrew Kevin Walker, the writer who have us David Fincher‘s equally dark, Seven. Joaquin Phoenix also impresses as Max California, Cage’s guide into the underworld. 

8mm was highly underrated on its cinematic release and it’s a rare piece of mainstream Hollywood filmmaking which dares to delve into the darkness. Recommended.