Widow's Walk

A most unusual story that I guess you could categorise as a ghost story, it certainly raises lots of questions at the end.

An atmospheric start, various characters come and go and you're never entirely sure how they all fit in. I felt the early scenes needed to be supported by an underscore, somehow the English accent sounded flat against the vastness. The director loves a close up and there are some striking shots, I wonder if this was sometimes focused on at the expense of the story.

I felt it had flaws and yet somehow it completely drew me in. Certainly a fascinating movie to watch.

Having lost my own father at 11 years old, and having watched my mother go through the grief and hopelesness that comes with the loss of a close family member, I was definately a little biased towards this movie from the outset. That being said, Widow's Walk does a tremendous job of portraying the aspects of grief that come with the premise of the movie. Horror fans looking for quick scares will be sorely dissapointed, as the movie is pretty much void of those. But those familiar with the true losses of life will find a reckognizable theme in the film, even down to the "grey" colours of the movie perfectly portraying what those times are recounted as in their memory, down to the mother finally having the courage again to don a dress in front of the mirror and putting on lipstick. Infinately sad, but brilliant.

While Widows Walk is classified as a Horror Movie, it is to be seen through the lens of tragedy, rather than fright. It does an incredible job of encapsulating the feeling of grief into film, and at the end of it all, that is the greatest horror that life has to offer; the loss of those close to us, and how we deal with it. The storyline involved, while slow-paced and somewhat predictable, is second to the emotions that this movie carries, especially for those familiar with these emotions.

A deep and touching movie, more than warranting a solid score.

I am unsure why this film has received such negative reviews. It's not the most original or the greatest film ever but it is definitely worth watching. It's nicely paced and although you can figure out most of the elements quite quickly, the denouement is still quite satisfying. One reviewer wrote that it is ant-climactic but I beg to disagree. The acting is decent and the cinematography is excellent. Don't approach it with preconceptions and just appreciate this simple story.

This movie is atmospheric and beautifully shot but not much else. The mystery, if you can call it that is very predictable. The scares are not very scary and there is not much to the spookyness that is abroad. But, all that said, the cast is good and believable and the story is touching. It is also a feast fo the eyes, and ears. The score is beautiful and compliments the breathtaking vistas and epicness of the coastline. There are worse ways to spend an evening.

Those giving this film <5 stars I swear are trolling IMDB. Compared to most of the dross being vomited out by filmmakers of late, Widow's Walk was enigmatic, poignant, and beautifully filmed.

While it isn't in the same league as The Others, the story is elegantly developed over time, giving chance to reflect on the themes, the characters, and the part they play in telling the story.

This is not a wham-bam-thank-you-mam movie - if you want endless ghouls jumping out of cupboards every five minutes, or characters played by Hollywood's tinsel town fraternity, then you'd better look elsewhere.

This is a film for intelligent audiences who are capable of making up their own minds; who want space to consider the themes being explored - whether it's the psychological impact of losing a partner, or questioning the very notion of the paranormal.

Not everything needs to be spelt out - sometimes it's good to show things in a way that encourages the audience to reflect on what's being revealed.

For example, one reviewer here didn't like the way Eve seemed nonplussed by her interactions with the house's past residents. Given she has just lost her husband in a horrific and bloody modern war, perhaps she's numb to all that's going on around her. Only her son provides something tangible on which to cling. Everything else is just noise. Perhaps she believes it's her state of mind producing these ghost-like apparitions and nothing more.

(After all, anyone who's been overly tired will have experienced fleeting glimpses of figures disappearing into the shadows . . .)

I would certainly recommend this film - just watch with an open mind, and decide for yourself.