Willard
Dir: Glen Morgan
2003
****
Glen Morgan's Willard is an incredibly creepy horror film that turns the tables on the genre somewhat. I think Crispin Glover was brilliantly cast as the timid Willard, who has suffered a life of bullying from his sickly mother for whom he cares for and his boss, played by the ever intimidating R. Lee Ermey. Willard's only friends are a colony of rats that have bred in the dilapidated old house he shares with his mother. Willard befriends one rat in particular that he names Socrates, however, the largest Rat of the colony, that he subsequently names Ben, takes 'charge' of the colony and also Willard, in some respects. Crispin Glover quirky performance and Glen Morgan's suspenseful pace really do emphasize the character's descent into madness that in the end gives credence to the ancient Chinese saying; "Never corner a Rat". The film has an accompanying song called Ben that was used as the theme tune, the video is easily found on line and I urge all to watch it. Credit also due to the rat trainers, they weren't CGI and they pretty much did everything you see on screen. Willard is a little bit like a Batman villain, except you kind of want him to win.