A suburban mother, Della(Basinger), from a gated community, who has endured an abusive marriage from an intense bullying husband, goes out to get wrapping paper, doesn't appreciate that a gang of punks parked out of place blocking a spot so she couldn't pull in there(it's Christmas eve and traffic's a bitch), leaving a note to them in anger. Dirtbag Haas and his wannabe gangsters enact a war with Della over something so trivial which starts after he shoots a "rent-a-cop" while in the midst of an argument(it's simple, the security cop wants Haas to leave Della alone and he refuses, resulting in multiple gun shots to the skull). It becomes a fight for survival as this band of thugs attempt to find and execute Della, resulting in their own demise. I love the premise of someone like this beautiful mom, cut off from what is the "real world", having tolerated her husband's nasty treatment over the years, finally snapping, with those who pushed her over the edge suffering the consequences. Haas has evolved from his cutesy child actor days and now plays all kinds of interesting characters, in WHILE SHE WAS OUT, he's equipped with one of those repellent scumbags, the kind of polarizing jerk who gets what's coming to him to the delight of the audience. Basinger is superb in a change-of-pace role, showing someone who has had enough, tired of being the victim, who takes it upon herself to stay alive by whatever means are at her disposal. Her Della is a bundle of nerves and all she wants to do really is get back to her kids(that's obviously enough motivation to do what is needed possible, right?). It's interesting how diverse this gang is, Asian, African-American, Latino, and Haas, their ringleader. All Della has is a tool box with weapons like a wrench and tire iron to use against her pursuers. Sure, it's strength in numbers at first, but as that dwindles, Haas will find that this bitch won't go down without a fight. Particularly interesting is when Haas' Chuckie sizes Della up and she, in turn, seduces him, using her seemingly ageless beauty as a means to buy herself some time. And, to see Della so completely liberated by this night, to put an end to the routine, she is able to face her husband and finish the movie with a bang. Craig Sheffer makes a brief, but impressionable, appearance as Basinger's loathsome husband. The plot isn't overly complicated and the pace is fast..it is rather funny that all this starts because of a parking space.
Review of While She Was Out
