REVIEW: “The Roomate” makes homework look good

    I can’t live with “The Roommate.” Usually I can say something positive about a movie out of respect for the work that the cast and crew put into it, but this movie was definitely an exception to that rule.

    “The Roommate” begins at the start of a school year, when Sara, played by Minka Kelly, is anxious to meet her roommate and neighbors. After a night of partying, she meets Rebecca, played by Leighton Meester, who introduces herself as Sara’s new roommate.

    Sara enjoys her social life and gets to make new friends, including a handsome drummer that she quickly becomes attached to. Rebecca is antisocial and isolates herself from everyone except Sara.

    Over the course of the semester, Rebecca becomes increasingly possessive of Sara, and she harms anyone who gets close to Sara, but effectively keeps Sara oblivious through threats and tears.

    For Thanksgiving, Rebecca takes Sara to her house, and while there, Rebecca’s mother asks Sara if Rebecca had been taking her medication. Sara quizzically asks, “Medication?” but isn’t given the time to ask for more information. That question, however, arouses suspicion of Rebecca’s actions and intent.

    “The Roommate” is a predictable psychological thriller, and it really doesn’t add to the genre at all.

    The movie would probably have earned an R-rating if they had added a few more swear words and a bit more blood. It was full of violence and sexual content, especially when Rebecca used her feminine wiles to lure some of her victims.

    Rebecca grew up in a house that was never home to her. Her parents say that they are “fond of her,” but she desperately desires love. She tries to do whatever she can to feel loved, but fixates her desires on Sara.

    I’m not familiar with the primary actors in the movie, with the exception of Alyson Michalka, who plays neighbor Tracy Morgan. She was in a few Disney movies has dabbled in a few movies and series since. The other actor with any portion of fame would be Cam Gigandet of “Twilight” fame, who plays Sara’s boyfriend, Stephen, in “The Roommate.”

    Kelly, who plays Sara, is a Megan Fox look-alike and, just like Fox, was probably used for her looks, although she’s starred in Friday Night Lights. Meester, of “Gossip Girl” fame is haunting as Rebecca, but she doesn’t give enough depth to the character to be believable.

    There was nothing special about the music. The score was mediocre at best, and the songs were by third- or fourth-rate artists.

    The best part of the entire film was the end credits, because it meant the end of the torture that was this movie.

    Given the choice between “The Roommate” and homework, I’d rather do homework.

– spencer.palmer@aggiemail.usu.edu