“The Orphanage:” A PeaceBang Review

April 30, 2008 on 10:57 pm | In TV/Movies/Theatre/Book Reviews |

This film by Guillermo Del Toro (who did “Pan’s Labyrinth”) was truly scary and has lingered with me since we saw it a few nights ago. The acting is terrific, the sets and cinematography gorgeous, and the screenplay is deeply disturbing. It’s the kind of movie where, the day after you see it, you’ll be calling the person you saw it with at work and saying things like, “Do you think she killed him, or would you really blame the ghost? Or was it ultimately the mother of the ghost, would you say?” And then you’ll talk about it and then you’ll say, “I’m afraid to go upstairs. When are you coming home?” And the other person won’t even think that’s ridiculous, because he’s been kind of afraid to go to the basement at work all day himself.

Just leave lots of room to think about everything that happens, and leave time to go back and replay certain scenes. I’m not a fan of horror movies but this was wonderful.

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  1. Man, I am so looking forward to seeing this movie (though the film snob in me has to point out that Del Toro produced and obviously influenced this movie, but it was actually Juan Antonio Bayona who directed it). [REALLY? Oops, my bad! The only name I ever heard associated with it was Del Toro, Del Toro, Del Toro! I should have checked. And I SO hope you like it. I went on IMBD.com to read some of the comments about it and so many people wrote that they didn’t think it was scary enough, or that the plot had holes in it, etc. I thought the thing had a marvelous consistency, but not at first glance. We had to think about it a lot and put things together afterward in order to piece it all together. - PB]

    Your comments about The Onion’s panda video story were very prescient, btw. I may have to take a break from their videos, (astronauts dying, reporters causing a new plane crash, etc) which leave a bitter, bitter aftertaste. Ugh.

    Comment by Will — May 2, 2008 #

  2. We watched this last night on video; it was so good. I think they used Del Toro’s name to sell the picture (smart idea). It really IS in his vein - like Pan’s Labyrinth, and Devil’s Backbone (tho better than Backbone). I was really impressed that the director, screenwriter, editor, cinematographer, etc. were involved in making the film were all newbies (first time on a feature length film). Great work. Del Toro does a good job of mentoring young filmmakers. It scared me so much - esp. that final game of Knock on the Door. Eek!

    But mostly it made me sad. I cried at the end. And thought about life without hubby, and felt devastated.

    Comment by h sofia — May 2, 2008 #

  3. No worries, PB — I was actually fooled into thinking the movie was by Del Toro. And, lucky me, “The Visitor” is playing nearby! What did you think of “Iron Man”?

    Comment by Will — May 3, 2008 #

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