Short Review: 'Carriers' (2009)

One must feel some sense of pity for the good films of the world that somehow get lost in the misguided shuffle of studio politics and lazy marketing. More often than not a victim of executive decision, some of the most underappreciated and uncompromising of movies frequently slip the mind’s eye of their intended audiences and disappear almost as quickly as the company cheque they were signed to. The folks behind the now-defunct Paramount Vantage (a producing arm of Paramount that opted for more lower-budgeted projects) last year released the apocalyptic horror/thriller Carriers, although their efforts in selling it to the public were dismal to say the least, instead hoping to pass it off as simply another 28 Days Later clone. However, those who had the chance to see it in its limited theatrical run (or direct-to-DVD shelving) will attest that Alex and David Pastor’s film is far more psychologically complex, dramatically engaging and emotionally resonant than your average contagion run-amok movie.

Driving along the hot deserted highways of North America are four friends: Brian (Chris Pine), brother Danny (Lou Taylor Pucci), Bobby (Piper Perabo) and Kate (Emily VanCamp). The young 20-somethings have been fleeing a viral pandemic for an undisclosed period of time, taking each day as it comes and risking nothing if it means a chance of infection amongst themselves. Taking pity when they cross the path of a desperate father and his contaminated daughter, the friends offer to give them a lift to an emergency medical centre where a supposed ‘vaccine’ is being implemented. Upon discovering the failure of the serum and the likelihood of no alternate medical attention the young group are forced to leave their passengers behind; a decision that may very well affect the inherent rationality once held between them and their ongoing ability to survive in the face of an imminent fate.

One of the most interesting aspects of Carriers and something that sets it apart from so many other infection-based shockers is its road movie format. From the opening credit sequence featuring narration by a solemn Danny detailing the ‘rules’ of survival as the group speed down an unknown asphalt strip in their supply-studded auto (cheekily titled ‘The Road Warrior’) the movie situates both its action and dramatic punches amid the stark and lonesome neverland of the American highway. Conceptually, the desolation and misery of the surrounding environment is perfectly merged with the seemingly monotonous yet fraught existence beset upon the youths and their habitual efforts to survive the next day unscathed, thus making for a more believable predicament.

Furthermore, it is within this dramatic plausibility that the Pastor brothers’ screenplay implements its resounding impact, insisting their film not be preoccupied with surface level jolts or even biological terrors but rather with telling a story about the gradual disintegration of all things decent and compassionate; the defining elements of humanity. The best examples of this are evidenced through the fractured older/younger brother relationship of Brian and Danny (played with real conviction by Pine and Pucci) and the crumbling of trust that once bound them together being taken over by the need to survive at any cost. The longer they are faced with the insurmountable odds of a limited existence the more they must resort to actions of a morally questionable nature, thus often betraying any and all previous notions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. This makes for disturbing yet stimulating viewing.

In addition to its shrewd commentary and emotionally rich disposition, Carriers is also a well shot, efficiently paced, dread-inducing thriller that is sure to have even the most casual of viewers relatively seat-steady for its brief (yet effective) 84 minute running time. The all round solid performances, slick production values and competent effects work make for a good nights’ rental session, however the demand for closer attention to the films’ subtleties is more than evident and consequently well earned. All this and more make me empathize with the plight of Carriers and many other films like it, as the noble efforts of its constituency are likely to continue on unrewarded amid the endless jargon of the promo pipe hole.



Dir: Alex & David Pastor
Writer: Alex & David Pastor
Cast: Chris Pine, Lou Taylor Pucci, Piper Perabo, Emily VanCamp
Country: USA
Run Time: 84mins
Rating: M15+