Out of Bounds (2003)

Director:

Merlin Ward

Writer:

Merlin Ward (written by)

Release Date:

31 October 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

...a spooky, sexy thriller...

Plot:

18-year-old Louise is stuck in a run-down girls' boarding school in the heart of the English countryside...

Cast

Sophie Ward	...	Veronica Van Huet
Sophia Myles	...	Louise Thompson
George Asprey	...	Matthew Van Huet
Michael Elphick	...	Lionel Stubbs
Julia Barrie	...	Isabelle Benallack
Celia Imrie	...	Doctor Imogen Reed
Richard Huw	...	David Benallack
Chris Humphreys	...	Detective Inspector Amer
Kelly Salmon	...	Phoebe Benallack
Rachel Ibbotson	...	Francesca
Jason Rush	...	Police
Tom Delmar	...	Taxi

Also Known As:

Dead in the Water (UK) (alternative title)

Runtime:

UK:90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:12 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

The Royal Masonic School, Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Enterprise Films

Quotes:

Louise Thompson: Apparently you saved my life.
Veronica Van Huet: Well, it was either that or cancel the school play.

Quite possibly one of the most underrated thrillers ever

While there is a lot of room to make this dark, riveting thriller even more dark and riveting, Out of Bounds is what I'd describe as an undervalued thriller. Perhaps with a stronger cast, a more robust director and more special effects, this could have made several awards.

Our heroine, Louise Thompson (Sophia Myles), is an eighteen-year-old school girl, staying in the 18th-century boarding school, under the watch of the headmistress, Veronica Van Huet (Sophie Ward). Unbeknown to anyone else, Sophia is having an affair with Mrs. Van Huet's husband, Matthew (George Asprey). But when he disappears, soon after Veronica discovers his adultery, Louise believes the worst has happened … is her headmistress a murderer??

Although Celia Imrie, a favorite actress of mine – and the actual only reason I watched this film, is as always brilliant in her versatile roles, the actual star of this underrated British thriller is Sophia Myles. Having had other successes prior to this role, such as From Hell, she shines as the suspicious Louise. Sophie Ward is also very convincing and a good choice for the part of the posh headmistress. Celia Imrie, as I said earlier, is also good as Dr. Imogen Reed - proving once again her terrific and versatile acting.

The dark-blue opening credits, with a Gothic black background is enough to make this a thriller in itself and to be honest, this is one of the key things I liked a lot – trivial – but very good. The chilling classical music throughout the film is also nail-bitingly tense.

Merlin Ward was a good director and carefully mastered this tour de force. Make no mistake when I said about the robust, I meant it may be more famous with a more known director. My only criticism would be the frightening ending was a little confusing and the fight scene could have been longer and more exciting.

So, did Veronica kill her husband … you'll have to watch it! A perfect thriller!! PS – At the current moment there is a terrible picture, please see amazon.com for a much better version. Hopefully, it'll help vent how good this thriller is!