The Orphanage: Move over Tiny Tim
I’m afraid of two things in this world: clowns and creepy children.
The creepy children thing has been played to death, but don’t let the press pictures of The Orphanage, a new suspense film produced by Guillermo del Toro, fool you. This is not a schlocky film about Satan’s son or a village full of demon-children.
I think the filmmakers might reject the assertion, but this is a classic “haunted house” story - an exceptionally well-crafted ghost story in the tradition of The Devil’s Backbone (directed by del Toro) or The Others (by Alejandro Amenábar).
The less you know about the plot going in, the better. Although there are no new themes here, they’re very well put together, and knowing what to expect would ruin some of the suspense, a suspense heightened by the gorgeous sound design. No, it’s not like the gurgling of those ghosts in the Grudge films (which I suspect gives Marc nightmares to this day), but rather the house itself, the former orphanage that gives the film its title, seems alive - shuffling and breathing around the actors.
All in all, I think it’s a good film, but if you’re looking for hard-core horror or gore, look elsewhere this holiday season. If you want to be seriously creeped out for 100 minutes with a big helping of emotion on the side (provided by Belén Rueda’s outstanding performance as Laura, the former-orphan turned mother-in-distress) or if you’re a fan of movies like The Innocents or The Haunting, then this is definitely a film for you.
In limited release on December 28, 2007. Rated R for disturbing content. In Spanish with English Subtitles.
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Producer: Guillermo del Toro
Starring:
Belén Rueda as Laura
Fernando Cayo as Carlos
Geraldine Chaplin as Aurora
Montserrat Carulla as Benigna
Mabel Rivera as Pilar
Andrés Gertrúdix as Andrés
Roger Príncep as Simón
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:23 am
Wow, I have heard about this movie for a little while. The Others was really good, as was The Haunting, so maybe I’ll give this film a try.
I was a little confused with the ending to Pan’s Labyrinth (which, I suppose, was the director’s intention) so I’m kind of hoping that this film won’t leave me hanging if I choose to see it…
I want to thank you guys for having this blog. I don’t have an account on AfterElton.com (alas, I am neither gay nor male) but I really enjoy your guys’ vlog. It’s even cooler than She Made Me Watch This on AfterEllen.com. Sarah and Lori are pretty cool, so consider that a compliment ;)
Have a great Christmas, you guys!
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:03 pm
This is a freakin’ awesome review. More movies please.
Can’t wait to see the orphanage…I’m not really into torture porn like Hostel so a good thriller with lots of suspense sounds awesome.
You guys rock!!!
December 27th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Madison and Zoidberg,
Thanks for reading and happy holidays!
Madison - I don’t think The Orphanage would leave you confused. Not because it’s simple (which it isn’t at all), but because its intentions are so different from those of Pan’s Labyrinth. I think this movie wants to be understood (plotwise, at least) completely so that you’re left thinking about what it means in terms of your own life, not wondering what the movie itself was trying to say or what represented what.
Zoidberg - Marc has *lots* of ideas about the Hostel franchise. He just saw part II and has been comparing and contrasting it with every other horror movie ever made. I’ll have to get him to write something.
December 27th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
yes - more hostel please. i don’t really get the ‘torture porn’ moniker because the movies aren’t about that at all. they’re actually pretty smart & creative thrillers and a very small amount of screen time is dedicated to the infamous torture scenes… but i don’t see why this is any different than any slasher pic. was really very surprised and liked the hostels muchly!