Lingering...

Rating: Null/10 (22 July 2008)

Plot:
Laura (Rueda) returns to the orphanage that was once her home with the intention of reopening it, taking with her, her adopted son Símon (Príncep) and husband Carlos (Cayo). Shortly after a few sleepless nights in a new house that warrants comfort, Símon (Príncep) finds an imaginary friend who once lived in the same Orphanage prior to its closure; the funny thing is: the number of imaginary friends starts to grow...
My Review:
One thing to point out is that Guillermo Del Toro did lend a hand in this pictures creation yet as a producer; the directorial debut is given to Juan Antonio Bayona, credited as J. A. Bayona. However those familiar with Del Toro's work will be aware and should be aware of his presence throughout the film, that nostalgic sepia tone elements to the camera imagery that can be traced to 'Cronos' and 'The Devil's Backbone'.
Very astute is the idea that both Director/Producer Del Toro and J. A. Bayona have a great matching affinity for the tautly woven and darkly mingled fantasy 'slash' horror. J. A. Bayona may be considered as Del Toro's prodigy or quick understudy that shows even why with the help of Del Toro; Bayona will never be out of work.
The new found director learns the basic skills from his mentor, in a platonic sense of the same layout; a good scripted, great acted and a well-told story before the multitude of shocks, blood, and that sense of unease that Del Toro gives unlike Hollywood horror directors of recent films like 'Saw' or 'The Others'.
The film doesn't have anything new to give to scare the audience today; instead he takes his stand stead to the classical shock treatment through the use of making a murder mystery/thriller with the loose elements of horror. The location, the Orphanage itself plays like something that has occurred in the nuance of Hollywood horror before many times before, however the take (however common) feels new and fresh, even with the orphanage have the complete range of gimmicks and prickly on-goings like a groaning staircases and a squeaky outside carousel that moves to appear caught in a heavy winds grasp when anyone looks out the window. When the settings and the basic story is established, Bayona settles into telling his story, working through the finely tuned elements of fear that are unforeseen.
Belén Rueda's character' past life is revealed as a young resident of the orphanage, one of the few without obvious disability and so the only one to find a new family. She comes back to the place of her many disowned friends and homely stand stead either to rekindle the life she had and make it a home for other kids as a act of kindness or too help her understand her own inner dealings now passed down to her adopted son. Of which is apparent when the past of her son's life, Símon, is revealed through the friendship with an 'imaginary' lad who likes to hide in caves on the beach and play games with intravenous knowledge of Símon and his family.
Laura ends up in a desperate situation that takes her further into contact with the ghosts of her past, both literally and figuratively. The story plays out more through the use of a horrific sack mask covering that opens up old wounds and provides the steps towards traditional scares.
The brink of emotional degradation of Belén Rueda's persona is paraphrased with the ghost story and crime proceeding and is what makes her performance incredible, a desperate mother looking for her son though she doesn't really go round looking for him, she doesn't run outside with pictures to give to the public, she very much believes that the ghosts of the past of this old orphanage hold the key to finding Símon and begins to question if they mean any harm? Like most ghosts, are they trying to tell us something?
Verdict:
A calmly placed horror/thriller that provides the jumps through the mystery of finding a missing child, a brutal and emotionally sad ending that works to startling effect. 8.5/10.