Superb Gothic thriller!

Rating: 9/10 (2 November 2006)

What can one add to a masterpiece?
The cast is superb, the dialogues are perfect, the house is both creepy and engaging, and the rhythm is just as it must be.
I had my quibbles about Kidman, but she surely shows why she could act so well in "The Hours". She's just great. Such a pent up neurotic would steer one inch and she would become a caricature. Instead, every gesture is perfect, every fit of hysteria just has to be there. Like every note in a Bach sonata. Her icy, statuesque beauty, allure and hairdo (!) make it all "come together". The scene in an unexpected sexy white night gown asking for love from his estranged husband is a small, very small gem :).
Cinematography is BEAUTIFUL, I want to live in this house! (Unocuppied if possible :)). To all of us who have read "The castle of Otranto" in loony early teens, this was what Walpole was talking about :)!
Horror is the contrary to gore. It's atmosphere, not ketchup. This is more of a psychological study (and a lesson in acting, let us not forget "Fionnula Flanagan" and Grace's bratty daughter. By the way, I LOVE everybody's English usage, and how it reveals class differences between "Master and servant". Body language too!
This is a MENTAL drama, the plot wisely gives us SOME keys to keep us engaged, but never enough to foresee what's coming. At least not me! "kate_hartshorn" (Irvine, CA) is right: this could well be a practical case of a "psychology of perception" course. And I agree with Mr. Kleinman from Portland (also on Amazon) that one should better NOT read much before the film. I was lucky enough this time to only watch the pictures and a general look at the cast. Had I read even Amazon's "plot keywords" would have basically spoilt all the fun (as it has, many times before).
I didn't really FEEL much for the characters, although I confess I suffered with poor troubled Grace. I give it a ten although, for I suspect it follows the "rules of the genre" that preclude any glorious and hefty monologue alla "Pacino" or something heroic, political or socially relevant.
I can't see how this film could be improved, but I am not so sure it would stand a "second viewing". At least, not in the near future. And certainly NOT a third one!! I suspect this is what separates the films that you "carry to the grave" to other "mental exercises". Like some piano players like Perahia, with perfect technique, but somewhat lacking "soul".