Heart-gripping

Rating: 8/10 (15 August 2008)

It has to be said - I'm never really scared. However, El Orfanato makes my heart pound in my chest, in sync with our heroines heart - but hardly more than that.
So why on earth would I give such a high grade to El Orfanato? The answer lies in my life-status so to speak - i.e. that I'm a father. 'cause, believe me, if you're reasonably young and don't have any children then this movie probably might not move you at all.
If you are a parent you will become completely emotionally involved and it's not impossible that your heart will be ripped to shreds.
The thing is - this isn't really a horror-movie. It's a movie about limitless, unconditional, love and the horrible agony that can raze your entire existence when the one you love is taken from you.
As you can probably understand I like this movie a lot. I like the fact that the main character is female (which is something Spanish films do often and well), I like that it takes it's time to build ambiance and unease. I even like the ending - in some strange way.
Go see this film - if you dare put your heart through it.