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Orfanato, El (The Orphanage)
In theaters January 18th 2008
for some disturbing content
Run Time: 100 min
Matt's rating - 3.75 out of 5
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Review by Matt Mungle
If you have been reading my reviews for any length of
time you know that I am not a fan of anything in the
scary, eerie vain. I like them if they are done well but
my nerves are on alert for hours after. I jump at the
slightest noise and I am convinced beyond a doubt
that something is going to come down my dark
hallway or be waiting for me in the closet. I am almost
surprised more when it doesn't happen. I chalk it up to
my off the chart creative imagination and not because I
simply scare like a school girl. I was intrigued by The
Orphanage though because it had that classic, old
fashion scary movie look about it. The foreign
architecture and design of classic sets and story
lines. It felt as if it could be from any generation. Plus I
figured with subtitles it might distract me from the
scary kid in the hallway. One can hope right?
It is the tale of a Laura (BelÈn Rueda) who buys the
orphanage she grew up in and along with her
husband plans to turn it into an orphanage for
handicapped children. The couple's adoptive son
begins to see and hear imaginary friends and when
he disappears from a party the struggle begins to
decide if is an abduction by physical or spiritual
persons. The presence of a mysterious woman and
untold secrets of the Orphanages past shines some
light on this matter but the secret is locked even
deeper than they know. Laura becomes obsessed
with finding her son and it takes a toll on her marriage
and mental well being. When she unravels the
mystery it only pushes her further into the game being
played. This is a well done ghost story and I have not
seen one like it in sometime.
The Orphanage is Spain's Official Submission to the
Best Foreign Language Film category for this years
Oscars and if not for The Kite Runner, I would lean
toward it for my own vote as well. It is not your classic
slasher, demonic, rehashing of a tale. It is smart and
clever and does not cheat the viewer in the end. It all
ties up neatly in a thrilling package. The imagery and
feel of the set design adds much to this horror story.
There is nothing creepier than huge mansions in
foreign countries. I for one don't see how they can live
in them. I would never sleep a wink. Add to this great
direction and cinematography and the intensity level
stays at a heightened peek. Plus there is the loss of a
child that makes you attach emotionally with the
parents in the film. You want a happy ending for them
all and struggle through the story alongside them.
There is a mystery along with the scary elements and
this gives it more depth than the normal films in this
genre.
The Orphanage is rated R for some disturbing
content. That is always vague because anything can
be disturbing in the wrong context. I think this would
be too frightening for those under 17 and the maturity
of the theme and plot only adds to that. If you don't
speak Spanish the adult language is visible only in
text form, so if you can't read English or speak
Spanish you will be ok. Also, the fact that it is in
Spanish with English subtitles may turn off many
adults as well. Fans of classic horror need not miss
this one. It is visually stunning and heart pounding
when it needs to be. You will jump several times so
get ready. I give The Orphanage 3.75 out of 5 chills.
This genre needs more films like this and less
mindless drivel that the Jason's and Michael's bring
us.
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Matt and Cindy are members of the North Texas
Film
Critics Association (NTFCA). For additional
reviews
and interview clips visit the website.
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Mungleshow Productions
Matt Mungle
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