Authentic, a modern legend.

Rating: 9/10 (29 September 2011)

Even though we look at this movie and can tell it's perfectly recent, at the same it oozes a certain old-fashioned feeling, which is good. Indeed, it is something of a return to the classic horror stories: simple, deep and intense, has soul, atmosphere (it transmits a cold and solitary atmosphere), film-making of quality, gorgeous cinematography, a beautiful musical score by Fernando Velázquez and expertly done and realistic scares instead of cheap terror and special effects.
On a first impression it is a little tricky to understand. It's a great deal of information to "digest" in just once and sometimes it happens very fast. But the fact that it is complex makes it all the more interesting and distinguish. At least it sets apart from others in a time when movies keep getting increasingly similar to each other. Plus, it gets easier to understand the more you watch it.
This is a touching, depressing and tragic story. Certain parts are truly scary. No kidding, they are! Certain events are so sudden, they happen so fast - it's hard to explain, but they catch you by surprise when you less expect. Some of the content is strong and disturbing. I wouldn't recommend this for hyper-sensitive people.
The orphanage is enormous and its architecture is very beautiful. Although "only" an orphanage, it definitely has that creepy, spooky atmosphere perfect for a superior ghost story. It's like a big, sinister shadowy house. The settings too are wonderful.
The actors are generally very competent, both the adults and the children. Among the adults, the beautiful Bélen Rueda steals the show with her acting. Among the children, the best performance belongs to Roger Príncep, although each child is rightfully chosen for their role.
Clearly a very good movie and a breath of fresh air in the recent history of cinema. Although still fairly recent, it's not too soon to consider it what it is: one of the best movies ever.
Of course, Hollywood wasted no time and (already!) in 2007 bought the rights to remake it. What is it with Americans that they have to remake everything? Instead of remaking, why don't they start developing their own ideas and leave the other movies as they are? And if they remake, then they should only remake films that are bad or certain films that are too old and awfully dated (crying for a remake). And I don't think this wicked movie is bad, so I do not approve a remake.
I can understand J. A. Bayona's disappointment, to which he famously said «The Americans have all the money in the world but can't do anything, while we can do whatever we want but don't have the money» and «The American industry doesn't take chances, that's why they make remakes of movies that were already big hits».
Title in Portugal: 'O Orfanato'.