THE HOLE - TV Film Review 1/4/06

I every now and then I have the guilty pleasure of watching TV but as usual of course it's usually films I've missed in the past that I try to catch up on. So I shove a tape in the old VHS and leave it to record and watch at a later date. This little gem was on the box a few weeks back and I dug it out and decided to give it a go. I've read other reviews that say it's like a very thin "Tales Of The Unexpected" and strangely enough this is so. Keira Knightley make's an early appearance in her career as an blonde airhead in this mildly taut psycho-thriller with Thora Birch (Ghostworld) in the other major female role. Four teenagers slip away from a school trip and hide out in an old disused bunker and then of course things take a sinister turn. Coming over like a poor man's "Wild Things" this is fairly entertaining if you don't expect too much - To say anymore would give the game away and spoil the plot. The obvious budget limitations show but not so badly that a lot isn't done in an hour and a half as the twisty-turny plot hauls us through to it's creepy finish. If some swearing, mild nudity and psychological head games are your thing you may like this. Available on DVD as below.

USA (Region 1) DVD Cover R Rating

UK (Region 2) DVD Cover 18 Certificate

SPECIAL FEATURES: The DVD Versions for the bonus features are both the same on the UK (Region 2) and USA (Region 1) apart from the covers. In a pathetic attempt to further sell the film with an early Keira Knightley performance; they slapped her picture full on the front cover of the Region 1 version, after her career had risen with Pirates Of The Caribbean, King Arthur, Domino, etc. They even added a "Keira Knightley" quote on the cover - In fact I'm surprised they didn't just say "Keira get's her tits out" to sell some more copies. I seriously doubt if Keira Knightley's film career will feature any further nudity. The DVD's features include Trailers, Deleted Scenes, Filmographies and a Director's Commentary.