'Hard Candy' fails, but its young star is rising

At the very first, "Hard Candy" plays hardball. It's hard to watch, hard to listen to, hard to think about.

And then it falls apart.

Lions Gate 'Hard Candy' D+ The verdict: Starts out tasty, then turns sour and stupid. Director: David Slade Starring: Ellen Page, Patrick Wilson, Sandra Oh, Jennifer Holmes, Gilbert John Run time: 103 minutes Release date: April 14, 2006 Rating: R for disturbing violent and aberrant sexual content involving a teen, and for language. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Hard Candy'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

A determined-to-be-provocative look at online predators, the movie begins with 14-year-old Thonggrrrrrl, aka Hayley (Ellen Page), trading insinuating chatroom banter with 32-year-old Lensman319, aka Jeff (Patrick Wilson from "The Phantom of the Opera"). "You get a little bossy when you're hot," she teases. "Go shower. Now."

We never know if he takes her hygienic suggestion to heart, but they do arrange to meet at a cafe. Pretty soon, they trade neutral public turf for his artistically minimalist place in Holmby Hills (he's a photographer). And the games begin, including a twist that may not be that much of a twist for some.

At times, "Hard Candy" has a David Mamet/Neil LaBute ferocity and wit. But Brian Nelson's script lacks depth and complexity. It's sadly self-important, shrilly manipulative and ultimately something of a cheat. By the final half-hour, the film has become a pointless exercise in sadistic moviemaking. Cruel and unusual punishment more for the audience than the characters.

Director David Slade keeps his camera circling and his actors in tight close-ups. Not a bad idea since the acting is really quite good. Especially young Page (she was 15 when the movie was shot), who is extraordinarily self-possessed as both actor and character. With her Jean Seberg pixie-cut, her schoolgirl's book bag and her little red hoodie, she's exactly the sort of nubile morsel a Big Bad Wolf like Jeff would relish. With this kind of talent and looks, it's likely Hollywood casting directors will relish her as well.

Still, she and the consistently game Wilson can't save the movie from itself as it devolves into oh-c'mon silliness. Sitting through "Hard Candy" is like being stuck in an interminable and tediously smug off off off off Broadway play.

With no intermission.