Decent enough ghost story; the ethereal Rueda excels

Rating: 8/10 (16 January 2008)

THE ORPHANAGE (2007) *** Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Princep, Mabel Rivera, Montserrat Carulla, Andres Gertrudix Oscar Casas, Edgar Vivar, Geraldine Chaplin. Decent enough ghost story thriller from Spanish novice filmmaker Juan Antonio Bayona with a good amount of fear, suspense and overall well-developed production involving a mother (the ethereal Rueda) trying to come to grips and maintain her sanity when her young son disappears shortly after purchasing her titular upbringing edifice, and his 'invisible friends' proving to be more than imaginary. Presented and co-produced by fellow countryman filmmaker wunderkind Guillermo del Toro.