#TIFF23: “WOMAN OF THE HOUR” REVIEW

By George Kozera

To be perfectly frank, I had some trepidations and resisted seeing Anna Kendrick’s feature film directorial debut with WOMAN OF THE HOUR. When the subject matter deals with rape, a serial killer and is based on a true story, I would assume that even the most seasoned filmmakers would think twice about tackling such sensitive topics and I questioned whether Kendrick had the gravitas and skill to undertake such a project. I need not have worried. Not only has this Oscar-nominated Actress fashioned a formidable and accomplished thriller, she skillfully blends in flashback sequences as well as addressing women having to deal with misogynistic, toxic males, all the while she laces the Movie with some much-needed humour and thrills.

Kendrick plays Cheryl, a struggling actress whose agent books her work as a contestant on the popular television game show “The Dating Game” where she will have to question three gentlemen then choose one to go on a date, depending on how they answer her queries. Contestant Number Three is Rodney Alcala, a Photographer (a star-making role and performance from Daniel Zovatto). We have already seen him at his worst as WOMAN OF THE HOUR opens with Alcala brutally pushing his victim to the ground, strangle her before resuscitating then raping her (Kendrick shows amazing restraint filming this intense sequence). We also know that Alcala has extraordinary b.s. skills as we saw him tell one victim that he studied at NYU Film School with Roman Polanski and a group of men in an office environment that he partied with Warren Beatty.

After a technical mishap during the filming of the game show, Cheryl rewrites all the insipid questions and makes all three males squirm uncomfortably with their answers, except for Alcala who is quite proficient with saying just the right things. Cheryl chooses Rodney and they win a trip to Carmel. After the taping, we see Alcala wait in the parking lot of the TV studio, see Cheryl leave and charmingly suggests they go nearby for a cocktail to which she accepts the invitation.

That is when the Film brims with tension.

It’s best to see WOMAN OF THE HOUR without knowing the particulars of this true story. Ignorance of the facts will be bliss. Kendrick’s mastery in the Director’s chair is in full force as I did have all the information beforehand and still sat in my seat, shaking with anxiety and dread. KUDOS.

WOMAN OF THE HOUR screens st TIFF ’23:

Saturday, September 9, 9:00PM, Scotiabank