“Case 39” has only one scene that will give viewers the chills. “The rest of the movie is bland, simple and lacking in depth.
With a predictable storyline and boring acting from even some of the better stars, “Case 39” is far from being the best movie out right now.
Even with Renée Zellweger and Ian McShane, there is little to look forward to. Viewers will beg for actor Bradley Cooper to create some decent entertainment, but Cooper’s scenes are just as forgettable as the rest.
Zellweger plays social worker Emily Jenkins. Emily is compelled to save a little girl named Lilith (Jodelle Ferland) from abusive parents, and with some help by Detective Barron (McShane), she gets her wish. After a few short weeks, Emily begins to notice that the girl’s personality may not be as cute and innocent as it first seemed.
Cooper plays as Emily’s love interest, Doug. He mainly acts as a source of comfort for other characters.
Not too far into the movie, blood begins to spurt across walls, and people die in gruesome ways. Not to say the film’s tediousness picks up; from beginning to end, “Case 39” refuses to get better.
There is only one exception. A decently terrifying scene stands out among the others more than halfway through the movie. Unfortunately, it is not like the other one-second long “jumpy” moments scattered throughout the movie; unfortunately, without giving any surprises away, the scene is not worth waiting an hour. There are better horror films that provide much better fright.
In fact, some scenes are ridiculous. With murder and suicide filling up the plot, some viewers will still manage to roll their eyes at bad lines and “touching” scenes that simply have no emotion.
The plot is generic, and so are the characters. After about 30 or 40 minutes, it does not take a genius to guess the ending.
With so many great movies out right now, “Case 39” will not get much attention. For the few who are interested, be forewarned: this is no groundbreaking movie. In fact, “Case 39” has trouble establishing itself as an average film. At times, it will get too dull.
