Director: Joel Schumacher
Stars: Colin Farrell, Forest Whitaker, Radha Mitchell, Katie Holmes, Keifer Sutherland
Certificate: R

Phone Booth is a psychological thriller that takes place in one of the few remaining phone booths in New York City. The film has had it's release pushed back a few times, mainly due to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and then due to the Washington sniper, although another rumour is that it was delayed until the film's star, Colin Farrell, was making an impact at the box-office. Whatever the reason, it's soon to be released, and it's certainly worth the wait.

The action centres on publicist Stu Shepard (Farrell), a publicist who chooses the wrong time to use the phone booth. He's a nasty piece of work, and uses the phone booth at the same time everyday to phone his would-be girlfriend. He's trying to cheat on his wife, and he uses and abuses everyone he knows, from his unpaid assistant to his clients, in order to get what he wants. Only today someone has been watching his actions, and now wants Stu to come clean and atone for his sins. The high-powered rifle that is aimed on Stu begins to persuade him to change his ways.

Farrell is outstanding in the role, and more than justifies his top billing. His cocksure character is gradually stripped of all his nasty traits, such as his arrogance and his dishonesty, as his tormentor pleases. The end result is Farrell admitting all his faults and failings to both his wife and girlfriend in front of the TV audience that has gathered to witness the one-man siege.

Kiefer Sutherland is excellent as Farrell's tormentor who strips away the outer layers to make his victim admit to his failings. His deadpan delivery more than demonstrates how cool, calculated and cold-blooded his character is. This is even more impressive when you consider that his actual screen time last for a couple of minutes as, for the main part, he is merely a voice on the other end of the line.

Of the supporting cast, Forest Whitaker is good as the detective who is trying to help Stu. Arriving first on the scene, he takes control of the situation, and manages to work up a rapport with Stu, and figure out what's going on, without being told. Radha Mitchell and Katie Holmes are both decent as Stu's wife and girlfriend respectively, but have a fairly limited time on screen.

The director, Joel Schumacher, does a fantastic job. Using various techniques to give the whole heist more of a claustrophobic feel, and show the situation from both sides. Split-screen and a telescopic sight are just two examples of this. He also manages to keep the story ticking along nicely, and has ensured that there are a good few one-liners thrown in to try and lift the tone ever so slightly.

Overall, Phone Booth is a very enjoyable, and very well made film. With very strong performances and a very original idea it's definitely worth a look. It will make you think twice about answering the phone too.