The Orphanage (Recommendation)


Movies

Liberty's Edge

Hey folks,

Earlier this year I had the chance to see "The Orphanage" at Fantastic Fest, a genre film festival here in Austin, Texas. The movie is produced by Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy) and written/directed by some first time features folks from Spain. It is Spanish language (with English subtitles) and comes out in limited release starting December 28th.

Simply put, its a ghost story, very similar in tone and feel to movies like "The Others" (with Nicole Kidman) or "The Devil's Backbone" (directed by del Toro). It is a beautifully done movie with several inventive twists and touches to the story that you simply won't find in American cinema with the ending of the film equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.

The film has been nominated for many awards and entered as Spain's entry for the Academy Award for Foreign Films. An American remake is set to be produced by del Toro, but I strongly encourage people to see what I feel is one of the best films this year in its original form.

Rob Little


I heartily second the above recommendation.

This is a fantastic ghost story. Not many movies have kept me in a constant state of suspense like The Orphanage. I don't want to sound pretentious here, but few American horror movies can boast to have earned the scares that this film delivers. And I mean earned. This movie does not go for the cheap gross out or jump out atcha! spooks.*
It is an exquisitely crafted story full of suspenseful plot twists and beautiful, character driven moments. Good ghost stories have elements of mystery in them - this one delivers with the best of them. Definitely see this before someone ruins its surprises.

*it should be noted that when I write that the movie doesn't rely on these gags, it isn't completely without them. But that's all I'm going to say about that. . .

Liberty's Edge

Let me preface by saying I love del Toro, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all his work. But I think I could write a thesis on 'del Toro and the Cult of Death.' Ever notice, in the true vein of Magical Realism, the protagonists don't necessarily win in the end? In fact, with the exception of Hellboy, del Toro's die every time. And not to mention the overarching feeling, as the credits roll, that the ending was, well, sad and rather existentially fatalistic. In The Orphanage, even, you might find yourself wondering was Carlos being invited to join his wife and son and their new friends? With the finding of the medallion, and the opening of the doors, was a new game being initiated for him, one that would ultimately end in his death? I say, yum! del Toro's films will be watched and talked about a hundred years from now, when Friday the 13th Part IX has long been forgotten.

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