True Film-making at its best, a classic for all generations

Rating: 10/10 (27 September 2002)

"There is something in this house... something diabolique... something... that is not at rest."
With these words, you know you've run into a good, elegant thriller/drama, starring Nicole Kidman. Yes... you've run into "The Others." Although the total effect this movie has, I think the particular standout in the movie would be the main star: Nicole Kidman as Grace.
Amazing. That's the word I'd use while describing Nicole Kidman. Absolutely fantastic... amazing. She is the single most talented actress of the 20th and 21st century, besides the beautiful Grace Kelly.

No. Even better: Nicole Kidman is the Grace Kelly of today's Hollywood world. She is truly unforgettable in any role that she portrays, at all. Whether it be the spooky teacher in "To Die For", or as an 'whore' in "Moulin Rouge" (which she was nominated for an Oscar this year), or as a Russian 'spy' in "Birthday Girl." She is truly a "wow" of our time.
But now to "The Others." This movie really hit me as one of the most wonderfully ever produced thrillers ever seen on the silver screen. It really, is truly, awesome. And what makes it awesome? Nicole Kidman. Flat out, she should've at LEAST been nominated for the Oscar this year for her flawless performance as Grace, the spine-tingling mother who is on the edge, every moment she's on the screen.
It's the aftermath of World War II. The Nazis have been beaten and controlled. Grace is haunted from the fact that her husband went off to war and never returned.
To top it off, she has two children, Anne and Nicholas, who have a serious, deathly allergy to light. Because of this allergy (known now in modern day as "XP"), the house must always be kept in the dark, no daylight must shine in.
The movie starts off with Grace, just having woken up from a terrible nightmare, screaming in her bed. As soon as it's over, we start to unravel the mysteries of the new, mysterious housekeepers right away. We meet Mrs. Bertha Mills, Mr. Edmund Tuttle, and a girl named Lydia, who've come to the mansion in hopes that there would be an opening fit for them as housekeepers and gardener of the estate, which rests on the Jersey Islands in England.

Grace already knows what the 3 have come for, and invites them in, showing them around the house. As she gets to explaining things, she mentions that the last servants disappeared "into thin air" almost a week previous that day.
And then she introduces them to the children. Almost immediately, they take a particular liking to Mrs. Mills, the kind and gentle "grand-mother figure", who will be their Nanny.
Soon after, strange things start happening. And this is where "The Others" gets to the top point of the film. The portrayal and mystery of the lighting that Alejandro Amenabar played with is more than fascinating. It's a "cinematographers dream" as Nicole Kidman states in the documentary on the special edition DVD, come out in May.
The performances in the movie are both moving and worthy of any award you can find and offer. Nicole Kidman as the edgy Grace; Alakina Mann and James Bentley as the scared and curious children, with the allergy to light; Fionnula Flanagan as the mysterious, yet sweet Mrs. Mills; Elaine Cassidy and Eric Sykes as the two quiet, humble, mysterious companions of Mrs. Mills; Christopher Eccleston as the grief and war striken husband Charles; and last, but certainly not least, Renee Asherson as the "old woman" or "witch" who's calm and soothing voice makes you want to fall into a deep sleep.
The overall effect this movie produces is a scary and moving, touching one. There are those moments where you can be on the edge of your seat and those other times where you feel yourself tearing up at the destruction the war has caused.
Sets and costumes were perfect for that era, and the lighting especially sticks out when chase scenes within and outside of the dark, creepy house begin. The lighting was crucial to the overall effect, because you are put in that view that the children have had their entire lives: a dim, eerie light.
Alejandro Amenabar is a true genius. Writing a flawless screenplay is something you rarely fine these days... it is a true work of literature. Although their are the occasional goofs and obvious flaws in the film once or twice, the direction Amenabar put out was truly amazing.
You must rent "The Others" tonight... it will blow your mind!
Kudos, Blake