Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 (3 out of 5 stars)
Jordan Turner (Halle Berry) receives a life-changing call from 15-year-old Leah Templeton in the film “The Call”. Leah is in dire danger as a guy breaks into her home. Jordan gently instructs her to hide, but when the conversation is disconnected, he calls back. Unfortunately, the ring reveals Leah’s position to the invader. Despite Jordan’s attempts to persuade him otherwise, he chillingly replies, “It’s already done,” and hangs up. The next day, a television program verifies Leah’s awful murder.
Jordan is emotionally shaken by the event and believes she can no longer take field calls. Six months later, she is training new 9-1-1 operators. Enter adolescent Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin), who is kidnapped from a mall parking garage by a stranger and thrown into a vehicle trunk. Using a throwaway phone, Casey dials 911. Brooke, a novice operator, gets the call but is unable to handle it, so Jordan takes over. However, because Casey is using a ‘burner’ phone, her actual position stays unknown via GPS.
The film keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially throughout the intense phone exchanges. Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin provide great performances. Their interaction lends substance to the plot. The concept of a 911 operator racing against time to help an abducted victim is intriguing.
Some narrative twists are obvious, but the intensity makes up for it. Some scenes need suspension of disbelief, which is frequent in thrillers. The majority of the action occurs over the phone, which may make some viewers feel constricted.
“The Call” finds a combination of suspense and emotional intensity. While it does not revolutionize the thriller genre, it is a well-executed journey. Berry’s portrayal of a relentless operator, along with Breslin’s sensitivity, make this picture worth viewing. If you’re looking for heart-pounding action and a race against the clock, pick up the phone and give this one a try.
