Call Me

Call Me is an engrossing 1988 thriller film that intricately weaves elements of mystery, suspense, and drama. Directed by Sollace Mitchell, the movie stars Patricia Charbonneau, Stephen McHattie, and Boyd Gaines in leading roles, who skilfully breathe life into a complex, ever-twisting plot set amidst the gritty backdrop of New York City.

In the heart of the film's narrative is Anna (played by Patricia Charbonneau), a young, vibrant journalist living in New York. Our protagonist is no stranger to the risks and uncertainties that come with living in the vast city, but her life takes a turn for the unexpected when she misdialed a phone number and found herself on the receiving end of a cryptic, disturbing call from a stranger. This seemingly innocuous wrong number plunges Anna into a world of dark and risky games far beyond her usual beat.

This stranger on the line – dubbed "The Sandman" (played by Stephen McHattie) – develops an eerie fascination with her, thrusting Anna into a scary cat-and-mouse game that ratchets up the tension. As she becomes more entangled in this ominous predicament, she finds herself surrounded by unnerving coincidences, mysterious events, and thinly-veiled threats.

Soon, Anna finds an unlikely ally in the form of her boyfriend Billy (Boyd Gaines), who, although initially skeptical, becomes an essential support system for her in cracking the mystery. As the plot unfurls, they are drawn into a labyrinth of danger, deceit and uncertainty, with New York City serving as more than a mere backdrop to their ordeal.

Anna and Billy's daily lives are effectively and dramatically shadowed by the omnipresent threat of The Sandman, his motives increasingly enigmatic. Their journey explores vivid themes of voyeurism, obsession, and identity against the backdrop of a city where anonymity can turn into danger in an instant.

Call Me makes dynamic use of its urban landscape, simultaneously capturing the vibrancy and dark undertones of New York. It stylizes the impersonal, bustling city into a brooding character in and of itself, underscoring the smoky alleyways and graffiti-laden walls as though the city houses its secrets.

Patricia Charbonneau shines in her role as Anna, delivering an evocative portrayal of a woman forced into an intense game she hadn't signed up for. Her character transitions from trepidation to resolve, going through a transformation under pressure. Stephen McHattie, as The Sandman, executes his performance with an unsettling charm, establishing himself as a memorable antagonist. Boyd Gaines holds his own, effectively capturing the protective and occasionally befuddled boyfriend driven to help his partner.

The film successfully blends conventional and unconventional elements that keep the audience hooked to the unfolding mystery. The calls – tense, suspenseful, full of implied violence – serve as an unsettling narrative thread running through the movie, connecting the characters and driving the plot forward.

Through its duration, Call Me expertly rides the thin line of being a thriller and a drama, incorporating elements from both genres to tell its suspenseful story. It's a treatise on the uneasy relationship between anonymity and familiarity in a city overflowing with strangers and secrets hidden in plain sight.

To summarize, Call Me is a neglected classic from the late 80s, providing viewers with a suspenseful cinematic experience that's a cut above most run-of-the-mill thrillers. It not only showcases stellar performances by its lead cast but also boasts a clever screenplay that consistently builds tension, delivering a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.