http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407621/
Or 'The Ordeal', is a Belgian psychological horror film released in 2004 and directed by Fabrice Du Welz. And a very odd film it is too. It starts off gradual, we're introduced to Marc Stevens, an entertainer who makes his living by traveling the country performing pop ballads at retirement homes, occasionally having to avoid the lustful attention of elderly groupies. Returning home for Christmas after one such performance, Marc's van breaks down during a heavy rain storm, in a darkened woods, miles from civilization. Unable to start his engine, he takes refuge for the night in a nearby inn kept by the amicable Mr. Bartel, but of course all is not what it seems.
Coming across like some sort of Euro-hicksploitation movie, one that owes quite a bit to Texas Chainsaw and Deliverance, Calvaire's strength is in its insidious build-up, creating a real sense of unease. As the movie progresses, things get a hell of a lot worse for Marc, there is one highly unpleasant scene of emasculation around the half way point, featuring a pair of rusty hair clippers, that as a male viewer I found particularly discomforting. I won't say much more about the story, I did feel that it was a little bit uneven towards the end, the movie worked best when building suspense and the climactic scenes not so much, having said that the final scene is pretty interesting. Recommended.
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