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Went to see this earlier on in the week. It's a film that I'd been looking forward to since seeing the trailers and so I turned up with high hopes.
The atmosphere that's conjured up makes the film feel like a 50's chiller - it's set in one location, there's a slow, purposeful build-up and not a single scene is rushed. On top of this, the child actors are excellent. The girl, in particular, is supremely effective at conveying an air of sinister vulnerability.
And yet, something jars. It's neither the twist ending nor the fact that the twist is apparent almost from the off. I hate the obviously tacked-on 'explanation' scene where Kidman's character tells the thicker members of the audience exactly what's going on. It's absolutely unnecessary.
I think what it is, is the lack of any real chill factor. Despite the best efforts of the cast and the superb, misty old English house setting, there are few moments that genuinely set you on edge.
It's still a far more effective movie than 6th Sense, though, and I definitely want to see it again. I like the way that enough hints are dropped throughout that it seems as thought the director wants people to guess the ending beforehand (the repetition of the "Stop breathing like that, stop breathing like that STOP BREATHING!" line being one such hint). It sets the film apart from 6th Sense and its ilk in that it's not just about the surprise.
As with most 'shock' ending movies, the third viewing will be the one that decides whether it can be classed as anything more than a novelty.
Other opinions?
[ 10-11-2001: Message edited by: E. Randy Dupre ] |
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