In all, a great work that I would have admittedly skipped.

Rating: Null/10 (6 January 2003)

Sleepy Hollow is Director Tim Burton's latest (and in my view greatest) horror/mystery thriller, based on the 18th century book by Washington Irving. The original was set up in the great gothic tradition, and the movie definitely does not disappoint as it is set in late 18th century New York with brilliant work done in regards to it's feel, the village of Sleepy Hollow is definitely believable. It is faithful to the custom-entrenched, and sleepy dreamy like state of the novel, as the super-natural occurs naturally. By the end of the movie, I could've left my seat and gone outside to see a tree open up and swallow a woman whole and my senses would've accepted it due to the brilliant cinematography. Enough about the movie however, it's real merit is the gothic aura that surrounds this great, under-appreciated work that I might have otherwise skipped.
Gothic Romance in general was a theme largely developed in the 18th century, with novel's written in rural Europe by author's growing up in the shadow of objects of immense intrigue.Castles or Large Manors left over from the feudal ages of Lords and Kings. This new genre was concerned with the realm of the paranormal, away from everyday life. Of Beautiful Maidens and horrifying monsters, of strange events that defied reason. This was its essence, of dark tones and bright bursts of light of contrast of both extreme ends of the spectrum at once. Mysterious pasts are also key, as history always plays a major role, usually with an aging male figure, or one who is deceased, yet undead. Family history is also integral most likely stemming from the period's obsession with oligarchies and inherited traits and titles.
Sleepy Hollow draws on all these ideologies to create a complete gothic experience.dark background and all, with a twist of contemporary horror thrown in. Even if you had no prior knowledge of what makes Goth gothic, the film serves its purpose by the viewer walking away with a wonderful sampling, even if they still could not identify the topic. One of the film's greatest underlying tones in my view, is its emphasis on the supernatural, it's greatest juxtaposition lies in Ichabod Crane, a man consumed by knowledge, ahead and behind in the times, encountering a world he believes does not exist, that oversteps logic's vast grounds. His knowledge and avant-garde approach coupled with more than contemporary instruments do not measure up in the slightest, to the dead horseman's appearance from the land of the dead into that of the living. Of course, you can't have romance without the rhapsody of real romance. In this work the plate is definitely full, as you have many, if not some undeveloped, affairs and flings to take account of. The ageless question of, `what is love,' is explored briefly, as the diligent viewer is worth to ponder its meaning. most likely because the director does not have any real answers himself, just the initiative to raise more questions.
In all, a great work that I would have admittedly skipped. A movie that came seemingly out of nowhere in my universe, and with little fanfare, gained my respect. Great to watch, if not to observe the underlying themes of what a Gothic Romance is alone. This film, in my opinion, is a very solid ***1/2 stars (out of 4).