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Downloading Nancy

Downloading Nancy (2008)

June. 05,2009
|
5.7
| Drama Thriller

Sick of her life, housewife Nancy just wants it to be over and done with, but rather than kill herself, she hires a stranger from the Internet to do the job for her. But fate takes a strange turn when she meets her killer and the two fall in love. Of course, Nancy realizes that love and murder do not naturally go hand in hand.

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Clevercell
2009/06/05

Very disappointing...

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Stoutor
2009/06/06

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

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Bluebell Alcock
2009/06/07

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

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Cheryl
2009/06/08

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

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Nooshin Navidi
2009/06/09

None of the reviews I read (on Netflix) before seeing the film hand mentioned this movie being based on true events-- a noteworthy fact given the disturbing storyline... Either way, this film is definitely not for everyone. It's about deeply troubled people. It's VERY dark & very cold, made even more so by the meticulous art direction, camera work and editing.The cast is terrific, with a heartbreaking performance by Maria Bello who tackles her character with perfect emotional tone and tempo. It's a tough role precisely because it's so disturbing, and if overacted or otherwise played wrong, the character could become unlikeable, maudlin or self-indulgent. Bello manages to be none of these things. I didn't find the sex scenes gratuitous, or as one critic called it, "soft-porn". I felt the scenes were in fact appropriately restrained. And there were many tender moments and much pathos throughout the film, including in some of the S&M scenes.As for the question of why Nancy simply didn't leave the marriage, she herself explains this when confronted by Louis with the same question. This is not the story of a woman with normal problems, marital or otherwise. This is the story of a woman who as was sexually abused as a child by her uncle, and for a long time. With a mother who only exacerbated that emotional damage by blaming Nancy for the abuse. As is typical of many sexual-abuse victims, Nancy translated the abuse into "being loved", which compelled her to long for it in subsequent relationships. The therapy she finally seeks is too-little/too-late for someone with her type and degree of emotional disturbance.I was okay with the ending and am glad they didn't decide to lighten things up and make it more commercially viable by going for a "happy ending" and having Nancy live happily ever after with Louis. That would be too Hollywood. The sad truth is that, in real life, some people simply can't overcome the pain of such prolonged and heinous abuse, and some end up choosing death over life as the ultimate release from unbearable pain...

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TheHrunting
2009/06/10

When the printing press was invented it spread media quicker and farther than ever before. Fast forward to the information age where written documents as well as ways of communicating went digital from the invention of the computer and then a way to connect them to others: The Internet. Writing letters turned into e-mails and inked articles went way of text on a blog. This story uses the modern way of communicating and connecting to others but as an outlet for darker reasons rather than opportunity or forward outlooks. And what makes this tale so haunting is that is was inspired by real events with some cinematic liberties altered from a 1996 case about a woman named Sharon Lopatka who went by the name of Nancy over the computer."Downloading Nancy" is about a down-on-this-world woman, played by Maria Bello, who searches for someone on the Internet that would take her life as she's tried herself with scars to show for it. Not to mention going to therapy sessions to resolve her long list of deep-rooted issues without any substantial luck. She's married and unable to have kids due to being abused and suffering physical pain as a little girl. Her husband Albert, played by Rufus Sewell, doesn't understand her need for infliction during intercourse, and after 15 years of marriage is fed up with her immature and selfish ways of dealing with problems. He has golf and other hobbies to keep himself distracted, not to mention they sleep next to each other, yet are worlds apart. Nancy finds her guy, or so he says, and takes off with only a nondescript note left over to her husband. The newly met man from online seems the perfect match to give her the rough stimulation she feels she needs. Nancy has her highs and lows, from emotional to withdrawn, giving a torn decision to the man who's now infatuated with her.Slow, serious, subtle, "Downloading Nancy" builds up by showing rather than telling how this woman got to the desperate, manic, end-all state she's at. There are loose, hand-held camera shots that put you there. Sometimes hiding behind something to give the point of view of witnessing and experiencing it first hand. The settings are dulled with drab colors and neutral furniture to give an oppressive tone without overdoing it and trying to be creepy. Maria Bello does an excellent job of playing a pessimistic woman with more than one troubling issue to contend with. Her impulsive ways make her unpredictable and unlikable, though there is a feeling of pity as she can't even help herself.This doesn't have the typical amount of hope or resolve that you see in Hollywood pictures, but it's filled with real feelings of emotion that radiate from the screen. The film doesn't have any good guys or bad guys, and it isn't a horror tale as it won't happen to you due to both individuals being willing participants. It just unfolds this strange tale of how the Internet brought these two together, who would have otherwise never met as they're several states over. Though Nancy had stacking problems that were becoming too much to handle, and this was her way of finding an answer to solve it all by including this man to take charge of her life without question. The amount of blind trust she put into him might say more about herself than him. (If you missed 'em see my profile and click chronological for first review "Grimm Love" or the second "Cannibal.") (Also submitted on http://fromblacktoredfilmreviews.blogspot.com/)

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TheExpatriate700
2009/06/11

Before renting Downloading Nancy, people should be aware that it is an extremely bleak, depressing film that follows the trajectories of an emotionally disturbed woman and the man she finds online to torture and murder her. This is not a thrill a minute suspense film for the Transformers crowd, or a film to brighten your day. It features semi- graphic depictions of sadomasochism, and explores the psyches of people suffering from severe emotional dysfunction.It is also one of the best films of the past two years, and has been unjustly neglected by film distributors, critics, and audiences.The film functions on a number of levels. On one hand, it explores the personality and life of Nancy, a woman unable to cope with the trauma of having been sexually abused as a child. We see her experiences with a therapist and with self-mutilation. However, it is also an indictment of a emotionally and physically sterile suburban existence, embodied by her dullard husband Albert. The film's sets and color scheme reflect this barrenness, with gray being the color of the day.Maria Bello's performance anchors the film, and should have been given an Oscar nomination. Although most of the praise has gone to Bello, it is also worth noting Jason Patric's performance as the sadomasochist she turns to for release.Although I believe this is a very good film, it is not perfect. Rufus Sewell's portrayal of Albert is overly broad, lacking real depth. Furthermore, the film's soundtrack is lacking, a very generic synthesizer score that may reflect the film's low budget.For comparison, look at David Cronenberg's Dead Ringers and the Vera Farmiga film Quid Pro Quo. As with these films, many people will hate it, but the thoughtful will love it.

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stensson
2009/06/12

It's hard to decide whether this is a failure or not. I finally came to the conclusion that it's not.Nancy has been sexually abused as a child. She lives in a completely cold and dead marriage. She cuts herself. Then, she gets into this pact with a stranger on the net. What follows is a carousel of destruction. But is it really destruction? It's a fantastic acting performance here by Maria Bello, Rufus Sewell and Jason Patric. It's like a documentary with pale colors, no sign of hope, no sign of healing. It's a movie about existentialism, but it balances on a thin line close the ridiculous. But director Johan Renck brings it all home and you can only feel the pain. Or is that really what you're supposed to feel?

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