This is not the movie it is purported to be....

Rating: 4/10 (3 February 2007)

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD...Rather than give us a dark fantasy about a young girl in a quest for the truth, the director gave us a blood-soaked horrific social commentary on the struggle of the partisans against the fascistas in World War II Spain. The fantasy allegory is only briefly touched on during the movie, with wonderful snippets of movie magic, the faun is particularly effective and well-played. The rest of the time people are being shot, stabbed, cut up, blown up and otherwise killed. I would not have gone to see this movie if I knew in advance the majority of the film was so visually unappealing. Children should NOT be allowed to see this film under any circumstances. I honestly don't see what all the hoopla is about, and I couldn't see giving any applause let alone 23 minutes reportedly given at Canne.