Horrible Obsession
Apt Pupil is a Startling, Morbid Examination of Evil

Hatred. Murder. Two of humanity's worst traits, epitomized by the horrors of Nazi Germany in World War II. In the new film Apt Pupil, director Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects) takes us on a journey into the mind of one young boy who becomes obsessed with the past and starts down a long, dark path into evil.

Apt Pupil is based on the Stephen King novella by the same name. Although the story differs in some ways, the overall feel and theme of King's work remains the same. In it, a young honor student named Todd (Brad Renfrow from The Client) becomes obsessed with the atrocities of Hitler's Germany after his history class examines the Holocaust.

Todd's interest in the era leads him to recognize a fugitive Nazi war criminal living in his own hometown. After extensive detective work, Todd confronts the old man (played by veteran actor Ian McKellan) about his past and they strike a bargin. In exchange for stories of the real war -- "everything they're afraid to teach in school" -- Todd will keep Danker's true identity a secret.

But the stories of tourture and death soon fail to satisfy Todd. He begins to lose himself in a nightmarish reality, envisioning himself in the past. His grades begin to slip and he starts to lose his friends. As his obsession begins to control him, he begins to crave more.

Ultimately, the story is one of control. While Todd begins blackmailing Danker for his stories, he quickly starts to exert his power in other ways. In one bizarre scene he has the old man dressing in a mail order Nazi uniform and marching around the kitchen. But the tables turn, and soon Danker gains control over a portion of Todd's life. Like drowning men, they are sinking and refusing to let the other swim.

Renfro gives an adequate portrayal as Todd, although he fails to convey the true madness in Todd's character. McKellen, likewise, delivers a fine performance, but it is not until later in the film that his brilliance as an actor is allowed to shine through. David Schwimmer (of television's "Friends") gives a supporting performance as Todd's guidance counselor, although it is hard to take him serious with a big cheezy mustache. Singer's direction is dark and alien at times, a contrast to the tone of King's novella which places the horror in the midst of a normal suburbia. That feeling of normality is never established, and as a result the whole story seems unreal.

Deeply disturbing and overly intense at times, Apt Pupil is not something I can recommend to a general audience. Those who enjoy films which display humanity at its worst will be intrigued by this story, but it fails to strike as deep a chord as similar recent films.

MY RATING: 4 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 111 min.