The Roommate English

Director: Christian E. Christiansen

Writer: Sonny Mallhi

Cast: Leighton Meester,Minka Kelly,Cam Gigandet,Aly Michalka,DanneelHarris,Frances Fisher,Tomas Arana,Billy Zane

This made-for-television thriller will appeal only to younger audiences,The Roommate is an all-too-familiar tale of a young woman increasingly terrorised by her psychotic roomie. A small-town girl Sara has just settled in at her Southern California university when she encounters her friendly roommate Rebecca. It isnt long before Rebecca reveals an overprotective side that is violently manifested in a Psycho-like shower attack on Saras freewheeling friend Tracy.

Later Sara finds a job at the local coffeehouse and starts dating a hunky drummer Steven. Rebecca solemnly tells Sara,Im here for you. Soon,anyone who threatens to get between her and her object of obsession becomes a subject to Rebeccas rage,including an adorable kitten that finds itself in a clothes dryer!

It isnt until Rebecca gets the name of Saras dead sister tattooed on her body that the apparently clueless Sara finally gets it. It all leads to the inevitable violent showdown that will seem like déjà vu to anyone whos ever watched a late-night teen thriller.

Managing not a single original idea throughout its running time in fact,the director has inserted a shower murder,a recall to Psycho the film does benefit from a cast of sexy young television stars who should attract the teen audiences. Although Leighton Meester manages a few creepily intense moments,the rest of the cast get by mainly on their looks.

Directed by Christian E. Christiansen an Oscar nominee for his 2007 short At Night ,Roommate leaves the audience bored. Short on any genuine thriller element,it features the sort of sex and violence guaranteed to draw the desired teen-friendly audiences.

The Roommate is easily a film to avoid.

RATING: One star for all the effort.