The Bloodhound

If you've been exposed to the original Gothic text by Poe, then this film will make more sense than if you haven't. And while this isn't exactly 'The Fall of the House of Usher', it is mimetic in tone and spirit. The film has all the Gothic elements which give it a sense of the uncanny.

The actors are good at maintaining a sense of uneasiness, the script is sparse and the direction is very good-the director obviously understands the source material. Notably, the house itself is an Uber-stylish panopticon which compliments the atmosphere perfectly. One niggle, here, though, is that the house isn't quite as strong a character as perhaps it could have been. But, saying that, this was probably a deliberate directorial decision-given that the director is well versed with the source material. However, it is the music and sound design that keeps the tension high throughout. Both have the effect of being unsettling without being over the top.

If you like Poe, or you love the Gothic-style, then this is a good film-and it certainly doesn't outstay its welcome at under 2 hours.

The story is a bit slow but it works in the long run. The acting is excellent and the weird house creates a very spooky atmosphere. Did I understand all of it? No, but I still enjoyed it.

And, a strange movie it is. But, really well done. If you liked Eraserhead you will like this movie. The plot is fairly simple -- "Old friend" wasn't really that much of a friend. No, this movie is all about the mood. The melancholy. I would watch it again in a minute just to see the absolutely perfect Mid-Century Modern house and furnishings. Whoever did the set totally nailed it. Top-to-bottom, accurate Mid-Century Modern.

Is it slow? Yes. Does everything make sense? No. But I don't think that was the point of this movie. If you need a tight little average story with an A-Z typical plot, this is not the film for you. If you like a film that conveys ambiance and disturbing, vague suggestions of a back-story, then you'll probably like it.

The original story came out in 1839. In this version the house itself is mid-century modern, the characters are 21st century, and the mood is strictly fin de siecle decadence, wavering between ennui and angst.

It's a little self-indulgent, but overall a pretty nifty little film.

It's beautifully shot, and the boys are cute, everything else is just plain-ass weird, even worse, 'theater' weird.