DVD Review: Willard (B+)

Willard (2003)
Directed by Glen Morgan
Starring Crispin Glover, R. Lee Ermey, Laura Harring, Jackie Burroughs and Kim McKamy
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: B+

Review by Bobby Nashville

As a fan of the original Willard (not to mention Crispin Glover) I was really looking forward to this. Thankfully this film lived up to its billing. Glover is creepy yet mesmerizing as Willard, the man who likes rats a little too much.

Willard tells the tale of Willard Stiles, a mama's boy that has no life whatsoever. He toils (rather unspectacularly) at the company that his late father Martin Stiles built. His nights are spent taking care of his elderly mother and hanging out with his rat friends in the basement. He has a favorite mouse named Socrates, but Ben, the largest of all the rodents, gets jealous and before you know it, there's some problems in Ratville. Reportedly Joaquin Phoenix and Macaulay Culkin both turned down the starring role for Willard. Either of those actors would have been acceptable, but Glover is really fantastic in this role (I have actually heard some buzz for Oscar consideration). Laura Harring (Rita from Mulholland Drive) also does a nice turn as Cathryn, a sympathetic co-worker that tries to reach out to the confused young man.

A subtle mix of creepy drama and dry comedy, Willard is one of those rare remakes that actually works. For fans of the original Willard or cult icon Crispin Glover, this is a must see.

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