Rating of
4/4
Highly effective old-fashioned horror
newmans_own - wrote on 11/29/07
In this day and age, it seems unlikely that a haunted house movie would be the scariest to come along in years. But here we are with THE ORPHANAGE, a not-so-ordinary ghost story that draws upon the horror classics of yesteryear; the frights come from what we cannot see but know is there. Director J.A. Bayona and screenwriter Sergio G. Sanchez (under the guidance of producer Guillermo del Toro) have crafted a modern masterpiece of less-is-more. Yet in many ways, the film’s greatest strengths lie not in its sequences of harrowing suspense but its dramatic aspirations.
The film strives on techniques that have been around for ages. Creaking floors, thumping footsteps, doors closing by themselves, flickering lights, etc. The story is definitely old fashioned and the filmmakers do not stray from that mood. Still, the mounting suspense that builds to an almost unbearable level makes the film more effective than trying to gross-out its audience with excessive gore. There are jump scares and a particularly disturbing and graphic scene, but the film is incredibly restrained.
But what is most surprising about THE ORPHANAGE is its sense of drama. It is every bit as much a drama as a horror. Most horror films are content will developing their characters just enough to get the viewers to care, but Belen Rueda’s performance will tear hearts out. Her desperation and panic as time passes is devastating; her devotion to her missing son truly touching. The climax of the film is not effective because of its suspense (though it is terrifying), but because of Rueda. It may be the only film that will have people screaming in fear while tears gather.
****/****
Full review at http://newmanscorner.blogspot.com
