Dorothy Mills

DOROTHY MILLS has a wonderfully gloomy atmosphere of dread throughout its running time. This enhances the story, which centers around the relationship between the title character (Jenn Murray), and Dr. Jane Van Dopp (Carice van Houten), a psychiatrist who tries to help the girl.

At first, it appears that Dorothy is a troubled child suffering from purely psychological issues. However, as time goes on, Jane begins to realize that something else could be happening. Something supernatural that may reveal secrets that have been concealed by those around her.

Both Ms.' van Houten and Murray are absolutely convincing in their pivotal roles. As the truth is slowly revealed, we see the trauma that both have experienced bubbling to the surface.

This is a film that relies on great acting and dialogue, along with the aforementioned sense of darkness, rather than overt shocks. Due to this, it's a superior horror film for those who prefer creeping fear over jump scares...

An interesting film that explores the problems of small, closed communities - particularly those that rely heavily on religious leadership. The problematic nature of faith and ethics is a strong thread to the story, as the Church is unable or unwilling (through the role of the Parish priest) to support any sense of justice. The only message is: don't get caught and if you do cover it up as best you can...

The story line is fantastical but that is intended so shouldn't be seen as a weakness. What it does explore is the intuitive sense of rightness that young people can retain even in a community that is essentially rotten.

There are twists that are obvious but yet still manage to shock, especially the way in which key characters lose your sympathy as the plot unfolds.

I enjoyed the acting, and the actress who plays Dorothy manages to be both creepy and endearing. She reflects the brooding threat that the island conveys, in the scenery as well as through the behaviour of the population. You really empathise with the psychiatrist sent to assess Dorothy, at least I did. Her hesitancy to stay but desire to help is palpable.

I would recommend it if you liked Orphan or American Gothic...

Although writer/director Agnès Merlet resorted to too many clichés at times, Dorothy Mills does deserve credit for not taking the Hollywood road of botching the conclusion with special effects or nonsensical action scenes.

The movie has a solid pacing and takes the time to acclimate us with its characters. Unfortunately, most of them are terribly uninteresting and look like they were inspired by similar movies.

There are two glowing exceptions: psychiatrist Jane Van Dopp and our title character: the young and troubled Dorthy Mills. Dutch actress Carice Van Houten (The Black Book, Valkyrie) has a lot of presence on screen and manages to showcase all the emotions the doctor goes through, without overacting. The script still doesn't really do the actress justice but she does relatively well, despite not being completely at ease with English.

Without a doubt the most pleasant surprise of the whole movie will be the performance of newcomer Jenn Murray as Dorothy. Knowing that this movie was small budget and comparing her performance with the rest of the cast, one can only be amazed by her raw talent and presence. The role of Dorothy is incredibly challenging and it would have been easy for the movie to become unintentionally funny had the actress playing Dorothy been only average. But on the contrary, Jenn Murray elevates the movie by at least a point or two.

The story is slightly conventional. A nice twist at the end has a good effect to it but feels kind of forced. Some dramatic scenes barely work. More than anything else, the plot is almost ruined by not letting Dorothy be the sole vehicle of the strange happenings on the island.

But this is still a cool mystery movie with an awesome performance by Murray, whom I look forward to seeing in many more films.

Just when you think you know what this movie is about it surprises you. It's a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Great script, spot on direction. Wonderful acting by all. Carice van Houten plays it just perfectly as the doctor. Jenn Murray, is simply brilliant with a performance which must be seen.

It's hard to tell you what the story really is about without giving it away, but need to say it's a wonderful journey. From the setting on Hope this little film gets the distribution it deserves. It's just wonderful and I strongly recommend this movie.

Hope it gets some distribution in the US, as I think there is an audience for it. Nice to see what can be made for under a million dollars, a good script and a talented director.

a solid and fresh story with great actings especially the 2 main leads.

2 surprising twists, one around the middle when you realize what is happening to dorothy and one in the end which explains it all, what makes it great is you do not see this coming, well at least i didn't.

remember that crappy movie with nicolas cage about a crazed community on an island ? well this is not at all like that altho i thought it would be when i read the synopsis.

so if you think you know the story because it involves a closed community living on an island with the main lead being an outsider, think again.

there are many crappy movie in the genre, this is not one of them.

as a bonus the psychiatrist is very easy on the eye ;)