Buried has 'traces' of Hitchcock

MANILA, Philippines - One of Hollywood’s most attractive hunks Ryan Reynolds finds himself in a terrifying situation in Buried, a new film that received critical reviews and drew comparison to the classic works of the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. The husband of equally alluring Scarlett Johansson and lead act for the upcoming Green Lantern stars in this 93-minute suspense thriller in the role of Paul Conroy, a truck driver and family man who wakes up to realize the shocking truth that he is buried alive in an old wooden coffin.

More frightening is the fact that he has no clue at all as to why he’s six feet underground or who might have put him in there. Add to the puzzle the few interesting things he has with him. There’s the mysterious mobile phone with a rapidly draining battery, a lighter for him to see his eerie whereabouts, and a dwindling oxygen supply that gives him more or less 90 minutes to get some fresh air. Or else.       

The uniquely-directed film, featuring its lone star in a harrowingly claustrophobic experience throughout the movie, has caught the attention of viewers and critics alike. “It’s fresh, it’s new, there’s a great lead performance, inventive directing, tight script and some genuine tension that builds and builds until you don’t think you can take it anymore,” stated Ain’t It Cool News.

Director Rodrigo Cortes, whose Spanish masterpiece 15 Days won a staggering 57 awards at festivals, shared that Buried, with its one-location, one-actor focus, is a technical challenge of the highest order. He acknowledges as key influences Hitchcock’s legacy of shooting a whole movie in the middle of the sea (Lifeboat) or in a single shot, real time (Rope). Variety summed it up well when it described his latest work as “an ingenious exercise in sustained tension that would make Alfred Hitchcock turn over in his grave.”

Recently seen in The Proposal opposite Oscar winner Sandra Bullock, Reynolds’ believable performance certainly earned the nod of both the director and the critics. One comment said, “For Ryan Reynolds to so fully commit to a character so hopelessly ensnared, to carry an entire film on his back like some Atlas of old is simply a joy to watch.”

Opening on Oct. 27, Buried is locally distributed by Viva International Pictures.