Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Orphanage(El Orfanato)

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This 2007 Spanish film is directed by J.A. Bayona. This non-traditional ghost story takes place, as the title states, at an orphanage where the character of Laura, played by Belèn Rueda, grew up as a child before being adopted. Laura now returns to the orphanage as an adult with her husband, Carlos, and her son Simon. She intends to open up a new orphanage for handicapped children. Early on we see that Laura's family is close, and that Simon loves to play with his imaginary friends. We begin to get the idea that all is not as it seems in the home. Strange incidents begin to happen and Simon develops a new imaginary friend, named Tomas, who has a secret.

Before the orphanage can have its grand opening, Laura, gets a visit from a social worker, named Beninga, who reveals important information about Simon. It's from this point on that her life begins to unravel. Tragedy strikes, on the day of the opening of the orphanage, and Laura begins the task of solving the mystery that has been thrown upon her.

Eventually, she calls upon some local parapsychologists, to assist her with this mystery, in a sequence that reminded me of one of my favorite scenes from Poltergeist. This scene involves a medium, played by Geraldine Chaplin, and it reveals the dark secret that the orphange has been hiding. This only helps to fuel Laura's obsession and it begins to unravel the relationship with her husband.

What I really like about this movie, is how it mixes it's different story elements together. Suspense, belief in the supernatural, and crime drama. The acting is superb on all levels, and there are some geniunely spine tingling moments that you won't soon forget. I'm looking forward to seeing what else the director has to offer in the future. He definitely has great vision, and it's very exciting to see the new wave of directors that have been coming out of Spain and Mexico. If this movie is any indication of what he's capable of, then I'm pretty sure he will join the ranks of Del Toro, Cuaron, and Iñárritu.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Shall we begin...??

"John Milton: Don't get too cocky my boy. No matter how good you are don't ever let them see you coming. That's the gaffe my friend. You gotta keep yourself small. Innocuous. Be the little guy. You know, the nerd... the leper... shit-kickin' surfer. Look at me. "