A ringing phone begs to be answered, and “Phone Booth,” a stylish thriller for the age of cell phones, begs to be watched.

From its hyperkinetic, jumpy camera techniques to its urgent pace, the film races to a finish like a sprinter with energy to burn.

Colin Farrell stars as Stu Shepard, a fast-talking publicist with questionable morals. Director Joel Shumacher makes certain the audience will see Stu for the jerk he is as he cajoles favors from colleagues with the lies upsurging from his mouth like a tsunami barreling toward shore. Anyone who has seen the previews knows he will pay for his thoughtless deceit.

Stu is married and contemplating an affair with one of his actress clients, Pam, played by Katie Holmes of television’s “Dawson’s Creek.” He calls her from the same phone booth at the same time each day. And that is where the trouble begins. After his daily phone call, the phone rings and, thoughtlessly, he answers, thus beginning a frightening nightmare of captivity in which an anonymous sniper holds him at gun point, threatens him and forces him to confess his “crimes” to an eager news media covering the event in the midst of downtown Manhattan.

Consequently, the film was originally supposed to be released Nov. 15, 2002, but because of the sniper shootings back east, the film’s producers wisely held off on the release date.

Much of the film is based on the interaction between Stu and the menacing voice of the sniper. The sniper holds him captive by forcing Stu to look at how he abuses people by walloping him with the same empty promises and lies Stu dishes out on an hourly basis.

If you don’t already know who voices the sniper, I won’t spoil the surprise. The actor does a superb job of using his voice as a weapon through sarcastic inflection and intonation and reminds one of the angry, homicidal voice on the telephone in the “Scream” horror movies.

The cinematography by Matthew Libatique is continually moving to keep the audience on edge. Editor Mark Stevens keeps the cuts quick and jagged to emphasize both our constant connectedness through technology in the modern age and our failures to connect with each other on a more intimate level. Director Shumacher also emphasizes this theme with Stu’s ability to contact media outlets and clients simultaneously on two cell phones. Yet, his fragile marriage is proof of his failure to communicate on a less superficial level.

Irish actor Farrell is charismatic and dives into the role headfirst, which is almost enough to make one forget his shaky Brooklyn accent. Farrell portrays Stu with the egotistic charm of a small-time playboy who leers at women who pass him on the street. He uses his young, naive intern, who buys into his manipulative lure and expensive suit.

Stu’s crimes, however, are petty in the big scheme of things, and it is a bit of a puzzle as to why the sniper would single him out to punish.

On the other hand, perhaps it is a way to remind all of us that the little sins we commit, for example, a white lie now and then, can take a toll in the long run. In Stu’s case, those same white lies spiral out of control to define his career but end up defining him as a person.

“Phone Booth”

Rated – R

for pervasive language and some violence

Starring: Colin Farrell

Director: Joel Schumacher

Length: 81 minutes

Now playing at: Astoria Gateway Cinemas and Cannes Cinema in Seaside

Short take: “Phone Booth” is an edgy, calculated thriller starring charismatic Colin Farrell as Stu Shepard, an egotistical New York publicist whose day is about to take a hellish slide into the dark side as a sniper holds him captive in a phone booth.

Rating: 3 stars

Rating system:

4 stars Absolutely the best

3 stars Good, solid entertainment

2 stars Wait for the video

1 star Don’t waste your time

Movie Trivia: Which two other well-known actors were interested in the lead role of Stu Shepard that Farrell ultimately landed.

Movie Trivia answer: Jim Carrey and Will Smith