The Perfect Host (2010)

The perfect host has it all. It will make you laugh, scratch you're head, have you on the edge of your seat, and plenty of WTF moments. I didn't see most of the little twists and turns this movie had coming. David Hyde Pierce absolutely kills his role as "the perfect host". A magnificent Indy thriller, and a great overall watch!

John Taylor (Clayne Crawford) is on the run after injuring his foot during his bank robbery with his girlfriend Simone who works as a bank teller. He cons his way into the home of Warwick Wilson (David Hyde Pierce) as a friend of a friend. Warwick is busy preparing for a dinner party but he is also hiding disturbing shocking secrets.This would be more intriguing as a two-person movie. At least, it would be more interesting to see David Hyde Pierce try to fill the entire screen with his crazy character. He seems capable and the attempt would have value whether successful or not. Clayne Crawford is a functional second. It might be better for a scarier actor. The second twist with Warwick is interesting although the ending needs some changes.

Sometimes, low budget films with few locations and lesser-known actors are sent to B-movie oblivion - many in fact. However, I'm pleased to say that this isn't one of them.Sure, it doesn't have much action, it's only really filmed in one (major) location and (unless you used to watch Frasier) you probably won't recognise too many of the cast. It's even got a couple of questionable plot holes, but the fact it, the film was just too damn enjoyable to let any of that bother me.Just like the big-screen adaptation of 'American Psycho's' success was down to Christian Bale's excellent (and psychotic) performance, 'The Perfect Host's' charm is completely down to David Hyde Pierce's character. You can tell he's clearly loving doing what he's doing... and it shows.I won't go into too much detail about the plot, but it may just put you off dinner parties for life. It's a cheap, but enjoyable little black comedy/thriller/horror. It'll never compete with the Avengers or Avatar, but it is good fun if you have a black sense of humour.http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/

What a gem of a film! I went into this one blind other than reading the short description on Netflix.Be patient with the beginning - it's a required element to set the scene and introduce us to the character John Taylor who it is intended that we don't want to 'root for'. It's a familiar ploy to ensure we don't connect to his character and instead sympathise with Pierce's character, Warwick, who initially appears to be the unfortunate victim as Taylor convinces him to let him into his home. And how the tables turn! Pierce is utterly brilliant as the disturbed Warwick, and is entirely convincing in his role as a mentally disturbed host. This film holds itself together mostly through his quirky, dark and psychotic performance. From the obsessive compulsiveness and disturbing facial expressions, to the strange walk, he builds the audience into a frenzy of anticipation as the full extent of his odd character becomes clear.Clayne Crawford is less convincing as Taylor although does shift his character nicely from hard criminal to scared prisoner in a consistent, though expected, way.The film does tell a story but, for me, that's really a catalyst for the 'performance' film that it actually is. It's ultimately a character study, an insight into psychopathy.The storyline, therefore, is relatively weak and flawed in places. If you can get past that, and a predictable climax, then I would recommend this film purely on Pierce's performance. Enjoy!