Strong contender for Oscar Best Foreign Language Picture

Rating: Null/10 (5 January 2007)

(Watched in Toronto)
Although "Pan's Labyrinth" didn't win the Palme d'Or in the 2006 Cannes Film Festival (neither did "Volver", incidentally), it's quite obvious that this movie is a major contender in various subsequent awards competitions, having got 8 wins and 22 nominations to-date, including Best Foreign Language Film nomination for the Golden Globe. Expect it to be similarly honoured at Oscar.
What sets this movie apart from other political fables and children fairy tales is that it dares to be as emotionally intensive as it is. The movie is shot almost entirely in a beautiful, Gothic, gloomy hue that makes you feel that you are watching something in a trance. A lot of film award judges obviously like it, looking at the several best cinematography awards the movie has pocketed. Meticulous attention has also been given to editing. For example, there's one scene of a conversation in a room, as the camera moves to let the back of a character cover the entire frame, then pans across, revealing the forest where the ensuing scene takes place.
The plot is a chilling and bewildering combination of enchanting fairy tale and brutally cruel reality, interlocked through 11-year-old Ofelia who, in the darkest day of the Franco's fascist Spain, accompanies her pregnant mother to live with her step-father, a military commander that is absolute personification of a blood thirsty sadist. The "reality" side of the story evolves around two threads - the heroic deeds of the freedom fighters and the delicate, risky childbirth. Director del Toro is not afraid to show such brutal cruelty and violence that will make even some sturdy-hearted among the audience flinch. But he is also playful enough to push things to such an extreme that the audience burst out in uncontrolled laughing, at the expense of the villain.
Caught in this cruel reality, Ofelia wants out. While it's next to impossible to get her mother to leave her step-father and she is too young to run away herself, she finds her escape in another world where she is a lost princess trying to return, through the help of a faun, Pan. But even in this fantasy world, there are beings, grotesque and cruel, that will give children nightmare.
The tapestry of the two threads is woven together just as skilfully as the art house and mainstream aspects of the movie are combined. Even better is the duality of Ofelia's fantasy world  whether it does exist or is only her imagination is left entirely to the audience's interpretation. I see a clue in the ending shots that might indicate that it's intended to be only Ofelia's imagination but I may be totally wrong. And it really doesn't matter because even if I am right, there is nothing to prevent those who find the cruel reality too much to bear from seeking solace in a happy fairy tale ending.
The entire cast is wonderful but it is Ivana Baquero who will capture the heart of the entire audience with her portrayal of Ofelia.