boehmchadwick Reviews

The Orphanage (2007)

All Ghost's Aside

[9/10 · 26 November 2007]

While the door to Horror is always open and sometimes all too inviting, many falling to the depths of its dark abyss, it is refreshing to see a new face conquer the fear head on. J.A. Bavona is already leaving the first circle of Hell unscathed, prevailing at the box office in Spain, while having already been blessed by the god that is Guillermo Del Toro. "The Orphanage" at first sight may seem all too easy to categorize as a ghost story with supernatural tendencies, but as any viewer will certainly see, character development and acting make a splash in this debut feature.

Just as Mr. Del Toro did in "The Devil's Backbone" a ghost(s) frightens the unsuspecting, because who really expects to see a pale hologram of a person, with a vendetta or maybe just in need of some help. Of course Laura (Belen Rueda from "The Sea Inside") is hesitant to believe that her son, Simon, played by the curly haired wunderkind Roger Princep, has "upgraded" his imaginary friends for those of the departed. This happens of course after the family moves into a house that was once used as an orphanage and where Laura spent some of her childhood.

Needless to say, after Simon goes missing during a party at the new house, Laura must now believe. What follows is so deliberate and well paced that even the most suspecting viewer will feel chills. Mr. Bavona throws a little Hitchcock at you, rubs your nose in Polanski, while creating depth that De Palma wishes he could possess.

The Cake Eaters (2007)

A Cake For All

[9/10 · 20 November 2007]

"The Cake Eaters" is so subtle a story and pleasing a film you won't notice how great it is until it is over. Much credit is due to Jayce Bartok, the screenwriter, as well as, Mary Stuart Masterson, the director, to fulfill the hearts of its characters while filling the souls of the audience. "Eaters" sweet subtleties meet heavy hearts touching on such powerful subjects as love, death, secrecy, adultery, disability, virginity, abandonment, and rebellion. With each character involved in one or more relationships: father/son, mother/daughter, grandmother/granddaughter, brothers; love: new, old, rekindled, exes; they are pulled apart at the seams, some almost to a breaking point, only to be shown how close they are.

At the heart of the story, in between all the eaters of cake, is Georgia, a young woman "living" with a rare genetic disorder that affects her mobility but not her spirit. Georgia is played wonderfully and with grace by Kristen Stewart ("Into the Wild"). Her performance is at the center of this story and is worthy of any if not all accolades (Oscar?). You find yourself so enmeshed in her ability to convince, that she makes "The Cake Eaters" truly magnificent.

As up-state New York sets the tone for the story it throws you back in time, maybe the 70's, while staying in the present. The film opens with footage of old home movies and settles nicely in a gray, rainy, folk art town, where everyone knows your name. And it sure seems nice to have been a part of it.

Look (2007)

If Looks Could Kill or Lust or

[9/10 · 13 November 2007]

"Look", more like watch, takes the movie experience to a new high in voyeurism. Using the medium of film in a new way, Director Adam Rifkin employs the idea and view of surveillance cameras to construct a very thought provoking masterpiece. As the movie opens before any flesh is exposed we are greeted by "facts" about the world of surveillance. It is explained that on any given day an average American can be captured on camera about 200 times. If that's not interesting enough what follows is even more engaging.

The real heroism in coming up with this idea for a picture is the competency for telling it. "Look" could have easily become some pet project that explored the fascinating world of eyes in the sky and manifested in to some stimulating avant-garde piece. Yet, Mr. Rifkin explores, in a very Altmanesque arrangement, the intertwining of seemingly ordinary lives, if only outwardly, and exposes them intimately. Not only is "Look" visually engaging but the story holds up as well.

"Look" is a breakthrough in cinema for creativity and style, reminiscent of other achievers, "Shortbus" by John Cameron Mitchell, "Waking Life" by Richard Liklater and Darren Aronofsky's "Requiem for a Dream". It doesn't just break barriers in film-making it embraces structure, story, tone and pace to create the ultimate engaging movie experience.