danland2

Let's say it flat out, An American Haunting is the scariest, most intelligent ghost story to hit the screen in two decades. More original than The Others (which was a watered down cocktail of The Innocents and The Sixth Sense), and ten times more effective than the pallid The Exorcism of Emily Rose, An American Haunting wastes no time in setting itself up as a thriller with something more on its mind than just simply rehashing the same old grab bag scare tactics that every 'Exorcist' remake/rehash resorts to. Based on The Bell Witch, an apparently true account of demonic possession that resulted in the first recorded case of a ghost actually killing a human being over a hundred and fifty years ago in Tennessee, the film elevates itself by not wallowing in cheap tricks to scare you, and by always taking the high road. And, by doing so it creates it's very own world, a unnerving mood and an a undercurrent that prevails throughout until, when you least expect it - it strikes out, grabs you by the throat, and doesn't let go until the very last frame. The sheer terror of waiting and watching until the entire story unfolds (in a way you least expect) is so original and surprising, that by the time the finale hits you, it shatters you like no other horror film you've ever seen . The performances by Donald Sutherland and Rachel Hurd-Wood are first rate. It's their story all the way, and the beauty and generosity of the other actors subtle, effective performance (especially Sissy Spacek) is a testament to their respect of the material. But the real star of this film is director/writer Courtney Solomon. After having recovered from the bollocking he took for the impossible task of bringing Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie, to the screen Mr Solomon has rebounded with a story he was born to tell, and the result is an assured, first rate thriller, told with intelligence, force, style and wit. It's a roller coaster ride all the way, so fasten your seat belts. The audience I saw it with at the AFI Film Festival could not have been more responsive. You could actually feel the hair on the back of your neck standing up. The cinematography by master Adrian Biddle and the score by Caine Davidson are first rate, and help propel you into an unforgettable ghost story that will linger in your memory and haunt your dreams/nightmares for months after.

As Dustin Hoffman said last night, "You never see an actress go to the

depths that Charlize Theron accomplishes in the powerful, brilliantly

performed film". An Oscar nod, for sure, to say the least. This is a

performance for the ages. If you respect film acting and the brilliance

it can behold, this is a must see film. Patty Jenkins does magnificently

to not get in her actors way, to let them inhabit their characters

without the use of flashy camera tricks, or showy first time 'I'm Here!'

directorial flashes. Wonderfully written, this is a 'rough tough, take

no prisoners' film, that is not for all sensibilities. However, if

you're an adventurer and you want to have your cinematic world 'rocked',

see Monster. It is utterly unforgettable. Charlize, as Dustin also said,

'I apologize for not seeing this sooner...' but how could anyone know?

This is a great lesson to never pigeon-hole an actor. God Bless Ferne

Cassel for the most staggering job of casting of the decade. If there

were Oscars for that branch, she deserves five for believing and

delivering... and Charlize, you owe her two for staying on your agent so

you got to see this moment of your life, and to the brilliant Patty

Jenkins for delivering such an electrifying film. Wow!.........

Dear IMDb,

The lead review you have on the site -- Straight To TV Land -- is

outdated and misleading; the film has an entirely new ending that is not

relevant to these comments. The film was also significantly re-edited

since the test screening that this review relates to. Just read the

other comments on the site and you will see. Please, let this review sit

at the end where it belongs as it is about a movie that is no longer the

movie this gentleman is writing about.

Dan Ireland, Director, Passionada .......