Abigail Clayton, played by Selma Blair, is a recluse. The
daughter of a millionaire industrialist, she has not left the apartment in almost
20 years. She suffers from agoraphobia, a fear of going out. She lives alone,
insulated against the world. Her only communication with the outside world
comes via notes slipped under her door to the building’s concierge, who keeps
her supplied with groceries and other necessities. When her elderly neighbor is
killed, Ms. Clayton immediately decides to buy the apartment in order to
heighten her sense of security, or isolation.
Her plans are foiled when the building’s owner decides to rent
the apartment to a young couple. When the new tenants move in, she listens to
every sound which emanates from their apartment. Her new neighbors seem to be
locked in a dysfunctional relationship, fueled by the man’s alcohol abuse and
domestic violence. Her only other source of communication is with Dr. Raymond
Fontaine, played by Beau Bridges. His intentions are never clear, lending a
further layer of mystery to this very well paced and directed film.
A series of
circumstances ensue, which bring the reclusive Ms. Clayton to a face to face
meeting with the couple, rocking her world of solitude in a major way. Coupled
with the police investigation into the old ladies death; which appears to be
accidental; there are some secrets from Ms. Clayton’s past which keep the viewer
a bit mystified, and in the dark.
Reminiscent, in many ways, of Roman Polanski’s 1965 film “Repulsion”,
this is a film which explores the human psyche.
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