Wow!!!

Rating: 9/10 (18 May 2008)

This film far exceeded my expectations and the descriptions written by critics. One of the oddest things said about it was that it was one of the Scariest films made in years - there was nothing overtly frightening about it. There was however a sad and eerie mood from start to finish and was so engrossing that I forgot that I was reading subtitles! The mood was haunting and evoked great emotion. If I find any flaw in it at all I have to say it was the ending, so incredibility similar to Pan's Labyrinth that I felt somewhat disappointed at the ambiguity of the conclusion. Both films leave one with the jarring question of whether or not the obvious end was real or imagined on the part of the characters. I am sure the intention was to blur the line between reality and fantasy, but that sort of ending leaves me wondering - not a state of mind I expect to have after investing my time and emotions in a story.