The Others Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)August 29th, 2001
THE OTHERS (2001) / *** 1/2
Directed by Alejandro Amenabar, based on his screenplay. Starring Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Alakina Mann. Running time: 101 minutes. Rated AA by the MFCB. Reviewed on August 13th, 2001.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Grace (Kidman) lives with her young son and daughter on an isolated estate in the Channel Islands. Her children are photosensitive, and hence cannot be exposed to direct sunlight. The arrival of new servants precipitates strange noises and unexplained occurrences in the darkness-shrouded house. Is someone trying to drive Grace mad, or are unquiet spirits haunting her family?
Review: Haunted houses are a familiar staple of horror films, and "The Others" hardly reinvents the wheel. What it does offer, though, is a classy, gripping example of the genre: an unusually spooky and spine-tingling experience. Amenabar, making his first English-language movie, demonstrates his profound understanding of sound: his self-composed incidental music is effective, and silence plays an equally important role in building the suspense. Although Amenabar does spend a little too much time at the beginning of the picture laying his groundwork, things pick up noticeably through the final hour. The director makes judicious use of all the tricks in his toolbox of terror; there are enough frights to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, but not so many that they become commonplace. The inclusion of a nineteenth-century "Book of the Dead" is one of several particularly eerie moments. Kidman boosts the script's credibility with a terrific performance, playing Grace (think "Kelly") as a sympathetic woman who nonetheless possesses a singularly ruthless streak. Mann is notable as her creepy, strong-willed daughter. The film ends, "Sixth Sense"-style, with a surprise ending which Amenabar is wise not to overplay; his more subdued approach is likely to haunt even the steeliest of viewers.
Copyright © 2001 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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