Reunion

I've enjoyed some New Zealand horror films in the past, so while I wouldn't say my expectations for 'Reunion' were high, there was certainly some reason for optimism. Sadly it was ill-founded optimism. This film took about 85 minutes to get out of first gear. There were times when I was wondering whether I had looked up the wrong film. The film I was supposed to be seeing was supposedly a horror (or at least a mystery/thriller) movie. This felt like an extended episode of 'Shortland Street' (a local soap-opera).

I had actually seen the trailer for this film before going in, something I try to avoid for movies if I can. It hadn't looked great in the trailer, but I was hopeful they'd left the best bits out. In actuality I couldn't tell you what the best bits of this film were. It was all very repetitive and dull. The highlight package was limited. It wouldn't have been an easy film to make a trailer for.

The film tries to do some damage control at the end and throw a shocking twist at us, but by then I had checked out and no longer had enough investment in the story to care. Also the way they presented the finale was quite bizarre. It just didn't work for me. I'm sad to say that 'Reunion' was a misfire and not one I would recommend.

Cinematically, it's a beautiful film. I felt like I was there in the room with them. And I'm a true Julia Ormand fan from day 1. The house was everything here - another review hit it on the head - the house IS a character. The film itself felt a bit disjointed at best. I wish we could have delved deeper into what the father and mother did in that "office" as well as the hidden laboratory space. Excellent acting all around. Not sure it's something I'd want to watch again, and yes it was a slow burn to a bit of a mashup ending. Over all I'm glad we saw it vs not seeing it. New Zealand is absolutely a favorite of mine for it's dynamic filmmaking!!!

First off, I hate the mother SO MUCH. Unfortunately, I'm all too familiar with the mother's behavior, the lying and manipulation, maintaining control over relationships of other people through her, etc. When she told her daughter how her daughter was making someone else feel, someone who wasn't even there to confirm or deny, I had a flashback to memories of my own mother. She would lie about how other people felt about me (something she has always done to others), when she was really just projecting her feelings onto them. She's stood in the way of relationship after relationship, sometimes repeatedly (whenever they were on the mend), because she had to control everything. She also does things to force you to be dependent on her and then acts resentful of it. She also criticizes and demonizes the daughter's interests. She's very abusive and a bully, even when getting her way, and the daughter has no choice but to cave. Being used as an instrument to hurt. Blaming others for bad things she, herself, did. So, they did an excellent job of reflecting that.

They did a half-way job of creating mood, but they don't do much with it. Furthermore, it's not at all scary or even very mysterious. Also, the acting was low-energy in very much the wrong way. If I were to contrast it to something similar that was executed correctly, the acting in "We Are What We Are" was very well executed in how they truly reflected the underlying tension, repression, and unhappiness. In this movie, the acting has potential, but it's missing some humanity. The characters may be distant, but they act like strangers instead of estranged. That's the best way I can describe it.

At least it doesn't look like it was filmed on a burner phone, so there's that too. And the music is okay. Finally, I think it's interesting just how different the daughter looks when she smiles. She almost looks like a different person.

Super dysfunction junction going on in this mess that calls itself a family.. Movie was slow for 1st hour and started to feel like torture. But I wanted some answers to all the weird poop they showed us, strange images, creepy old drawings, flashbacks, weird black ooze, no packing skills at all. The last 25 minutes is probably best part of movie, but still left me with a ton of questions about that room and its contents. How was the mom planning to pack that hot mess up??? :o I felt sorry for Cara and then Ellie, but the parents can go straight to Hell for all I care. The 2 female leads did give great performances, but the movie is just all over the place, too many questions unanswered, and I wanted to hear the lecture they kept running in the background, but I may have well been listening to Charlie Brown's teacher because it was impossible to get more than a snippet or two of what was being said. I'm sure there are people who enjoy this style of story telling, but Most people won't. I have to say Pass on this or if you watch and get bored about 30 mins in to it, fast forward to last 25 mins and you will get as much information as watching the whole thing. If it was arranged differently, it might have been kinda good. I gave it 2 stars for the female leads and 2 stars for the cool old house and that ROOM! :O

If you like your horror with lots of blood, splatter. and quick cut frights, this film is not for you. This is a real slow burner. Within the first ten minutes you know there's something burning underneath. Clues are added in flash backs. Sometimes in conversations between the two protagonists. There it is, simmering away. You really want to find out. Annoyed because you want it to move on more quickly. In a nice way. It's a very well acted film. There are only three characters that are worthy of mention, Ellie, (Emma Draper/Gina Laverty), Ivy (Julia Ormond0 and Cara (Ava Keane). The two senior actors put in fine performances. Their shattered mother, daughter, relationship is built through out the film. Terminating in a final scene that sums up their relationship. The two young actors play their role more than competently and are worth keeping an eye open for in the future. The supporting actors are just that. They carry their small parts with aplomb but because of the shortness of the roles they don't have time to shine. The film is set in a mansion that appears to be in the countryside of New Zealand. There's plenty of light for the outdoor scenes. The indoor scenes are all dark. Not so dark that you don't know what's happening. Dark to make the place oppressive. It's nicely shot and manages to keep the gloom, conspiracy and feel of threat. This has made my list to watch again. If you want to spend 95 minutes working your brain and have pieces of horror thrown in. This is the film for you.