At The Movies: The Rule Of Jenny Pen
Two legendary stars of the screen – Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow – showing their class in this New Zealand production!
Judge Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush) is delivering his verdict and sentence in a trial, stumbling over his words, before collapsing on the floor. The next we see of him is in a rehab clinic in a wheelchair where he has to re-learn basic functions again after a massive stroke.
He complains to management that he is sharing a room when, as a person of status, he was expecting private quarters. However, he has to put up with Tony Garfield (George Henare, ‘Once Were Warriors’) – or, more to the point, Tony has to put up with Stefan! At the dinner table he meets retired rugby legend Sonny Ausage (Nathaniel Lees, ‘Lord of the Rings: Two Towers’) but they don’t quite hit it off – thanks mainly to Stefan’s arrogant attitude.
It isn’t long before Stefan discovers that the majority of residents at the clinic are being bullied and intimidated by the psychopathic Dave Crealy (John Lithgow) and his creepy little doll, dubbed Jenny Pen. Seemingly so nice to the staff, Stefan is basically ignored when he complains of harassment by Crealy, who makes a habit of sneaking around at night to torment a few regular victims.
Despite encouragement from Stefan to unite and stand up against Dave, everyone is too terrified. Dave gradually works on Stefan – especially when his condition worsens and it looks like he may never leave the facility. Crealy’s true evil is rapidly revealed as he continually and increasingly uses Jenny Pen to push his agenda!
As always, Rush and Lithgow deliver outstanding performances in this battle of wits between the sharp, intelligent magistrate and the creepy bully. Worth a visit to the cinema to see who, if anyone, is victorious.
Movie Review By John Glennie
Rating: MA 15+
Runtime: 105 minutes
Screening in Cinemas nationally from March 20
