rowman2222

This is the best Horror film of the year. I use the term Horror to encompass a broad range of films including supernatural to gore. The reality is that this film is a ghost story. Possibly the best ghost story I have ever seen. I feel this way because the lead characters makes real choices. They are very well developed people and you can understand their motivations, their desires, their fears, and their purpose; and this is rare in any genera nd almost unheard of in horror; in my opinion.

The depth of development for the character of Laura is phenomenal. Her emotions can truly be felt by the viewer and her obsessions, which to the casual observer might seem mad, are understood in a way that only great film makers and actors, can achieve. The viewer is made to want what she wants. You do not become a casual observer to her plight as much as you become a willing participant. And it breaks you apart, not with terror, but sadness;unavoidable anguish and hurt.

The cinematography is excellent. The scope of the shots, the color saturation, the picturesque landscape of the villa, really gives the eyes a feast. There are no weak performances from any cast member, everyone is exactly whom you believe them to be.

My only problems with the film have to do with the lack of decent back story. There is no explanation of how Laura was brought up, very little explanation of why she has had this desire to reopen the Orphanage, and very little to say of why she and her husband decided to adopt. I would like to have seen more explanation for the events that led then back to the orphanage. That and the creepy social worker woman who seems almost creepy for creepys sake. And she was creepy.

Enjoy the film.

I think brevity is best to do this movie justice. First, the movie is good. It is worth the exorbitant price of a ticket. Second, it is Danny Boyle's best work. Not necessarily his opus, I think that is yet to come. But having seen the majority of what was released in the US, I think I speak with a certain degree of authority when I say, I like it.

Now, there are still some points that need to be forgotten if you are anal like me and need to get through this film with as little pain as possible. The first point is that you need to forget that should such a mission as was the subject of this film be necessary, it could be accomplished by remote; no crew needed. Second, you need to forget that computers are best used to double check the work of humans for errors. And lastly, any animal, even humans, will require 1/3 the oxygen of a normal member of their species if they stop talking, stop moving around, and restrict their diet to absolutely bare necessity.

Get over those points and you are in for a great ride. I was stumped several times as to the route they were taking. Normally I have the movie figured out by the end of the first act, (This is not to boost my ego but is a jab at the poor storytelling of most movies). This one did a good job of keeping me in the dark while simultaneously keeping me entertained. The cinematography was good. I say good, because it was obvious that the majority of the shots were edited in the computer. But not to discount that, they were still amazing.

The bottom line is that despite my issues with the film, the tension was good, it made sense (mostly), the science was correct (mostly) and the characters were real. No deus ex machina. Enjoy.