 Movie
Reviews
with Evelyn Gough.
The Others (M)
Written & directed by Alejandro Amenabar
 Nicole Kidman wtih Alakina Mann and James Bentley.
For months I have been reading great reviews for a film called The Others and waiting eagerly for its release in Australia.
Was it worth the anticipation? Most definitely, if like me, you're a fan of the genre, the classic ghost story. Forget the MTV generation with their low boredom thresholds and quick fix philosophy resulting in decades of horror films offering gore a plenty and little else.
The Others is a horror story in the true sense of the word. Pure class, full of spine-tingling suspense, moody atmosphere and one of the most haunting finales since The Sixth Sense.
Writer/director Alejandro Amenabar (making his English language debut) carefully sets the scene, giving us time to get to know and care about Grace (Nicole Kidman) and her two young children Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley) who both suffer from extreme case of light sensitivity. This condition can prove fatal if the sufferer is exposed to sunlight so Grace and the children lead a claustrophobic existence, unable to leave the isolated mansion they inhabit on the English Island of Jersey.
As if a life shrouded in continual darkness isn't hard enough, the three find themselves deserted. The servants have mysteriously vanished and although the Second World War has just ended, there is still no news from Grace's husband Charles (Christopher Eccleston).
The stress is beginning to take its toll on the religious Grace and this is exacerbated when young Anne reveals there are strangers living in the house and noises are heard coming from supposedly empty rooms.
But the thrills and chills really begin with the arrival of three new servants, housekeeper Mrs Mills (Fionnula Flanagan), Mr Tuttle, the gardener (Eric Sykes) and the young mute Lydia (Elaine Cassidy).
What evil lurks in the darkened corridors?
If you like a good dose of goosebumps with your popcorn and some fine acting as well then prepare to be riveted by The Others. The child actors are superb and the sense of unease and fear they engender is tangible.
As for Nicole, this is her best performance since To Die For.
Spooky!
The Others opens in Lismore on November 8.
Rating: 4 stars
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