The Clinic
Starring: Tabrett Bethell, Freya Stafford, Andy Whitfield, Clare Bowen
Director: James Rabbitts
Rating: 2/5
When you read the premise for this movie the first thing that you think is 'oh no not another torture porn movie'. However I am glad to say that director James Rabbitts does not stray down this path and it more a battle of survival than making the grossest movie that he possible could.
Cameron (Whitfield) and his pregnant fiancée Beth (Bethell) as they travel across Australia on Christmas Eve 1979.
This seemingly normal trip is thrown off kilter when the couple are forced to take shelter in a remote hotel. When Cameron leaves Beth briefly to get some food, his return yields a nightmare he could never have prepared himself for as he finds the room empty and Beth vanished.
Beth awakes alone in an isolated clinic in a bathtub of ice with a very fresh C section. And no baby.
This so easily could have been a movie of gross surgeries on pregnant women but, I am relieved to say, that we see no surgery in the movie whatsoever - which makes a welcome change does it not?
It's a strong and emotional performance from Tabrett Bethell as she fights to save herself as well as her new born child.
The actress carries the movie well and in what is both a very physical as well as emotional role.
While the premise is certainly an interesting one it's all just that little bit dull and boring - Rabbitts struggles to create an atmosphere in the movie; where is could have been quite tension filled and a little bit chilling it just feels a little bit flat.
There is a nice twist at the end of the movie concerning the central character of Beth it's a shame that that wasn't explored more because I certainly didn't see that one coming.
The Clinic is a movie that helps pass a couple of hours but it lacks that fear factor and is forgettable as soon at the credits roll.
The Clinic is out DVD now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw