Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell) is a fast talking publicist. Every day at the same time he calls young actress Pamela McFadden (Katie Holmes) from a payphone. He doesn't want his wife Kelly (Radha Mitchell) to see the calls on his cell. Then a mysterious stranger (Kiefer Sutherland) calls the payphone. When the stranger shoots a guy, the cops surround the phone booth. Captain Ramey (Forest Whitaker) try to figure out what exactly is going on.

This is quite a nice little thriller from Joel Schumacher. It's a tight little movie depending so much on the interplay from a faceless voice. It never gets gimmicky. The tension does wear thin even with such a short running time. They do need to update the phone booth idea. Even in 2002, that was already outdated. However, Colin Farrell is supplying tremendous energy in such a confined role. Kiefer Sutherland delivers the right kind of menace. The tension in the first hour is incredible. I think the movie needs someway to release some kinetic energy for the final third act.

I do find Schumacher's films hit(Veronica Guerin) and miss(Batman and Robin),but the premise of Phone Booth seemed interesting, so I checked the film out. It was interesting and entertaining, but the script is sketchy with not much development to character, the ending is predictable and the story has several interesting and suspenseful moments but feels rushed towards the end. However, it is stylishly filmed, with some great camera work especially, Schumacher's direction is efficient and the soundtrack is compliments Phone Booth very well. The acting also helps lift, Colin Farell is very good and Forest Whittacker is solid as usual but the star turn was Kiefer Sutherland who was suitably malevolent as the caller. Overall, entertaining and mostly good. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Larry Cohen's concept was originally offered to Hitchcock back in the '60s – but the auteur director couldn't figure a reason for keeping the guy in the phone booth for the whole thing, so it got delayed forty or so years until now. With CELLULAR, another hi-concept offering from Cohen focusing, this time, on a mobile phone, it's worth checking out PHONE BOOTH as it definitely stands out as one of the freshest films of the early 2000s, right up there with the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy in terms of quality. Short, snappy and extremely realistic, to say much about the plot would be to spoil this one, other than the banter between Farrell and the killer has you on the edge, as well as the small-scale but riveting action and drama. This definitely one of the most suspenseful films I've ever seen, with the gripping story evolving so far that you'll be sweating as you watch this, right along with Farrell.

The Irish-born star is top-notch in his leading role, consolidating his place as one of Hollywood's most promising A-list stars. The supporting cast is also great, with Forest Whitaker typically excellent as the detective on the scene, and ex-NEIGHBOURS actress Radha Mitchell as Farrell's wife. Although this film only takes place on one location, I would say it matches the thrills and tension seen in the likes of the DIE HARD trilogy, it's that riveting. A film to be watched more than once, PHONE BOOTH is definitely gonna be a hard one to beat in the years to come.