Moody, intriguing Gothic thriller

Rating: Null/10 (9 June 2002)

Kidman gave the second half of her one-two punch of 2001 (the other being "Moulin Rouge", of course) in this Gothic thriller. She stars as a wan, highly detailed and regimented mistress of a huge, virtually abandoned mansion on the island of Jersey in 1945. Her husband has gone to war and has not been heard from. She and her two young children are joined by a trio of servants just as strange sounds and occurrences begin to happen in the house. The children suffer from a rare (and real) disease that causes them to be sheltered at all times from harsh light. Before long, it becomes clear that something mystifying and disturbing is happening in the house. The film hinges on several things...the vision of its director (who wrote, directed and composed the music!), the atmospheric cinematography/sets and Kidman's striking performance. Clad in well-tailored dresses and with a Grace Kelly-esque hair-do (he character's name is even Grace), she makes a stunning figure in the claustrophobic and sometimes creepy surroundings. She does a magnificent job in the role (though to nitpick, her accent doesn't always stay in line with the character) and the audience is along for the ride almost immediately. She is matched by a terrific Flanagan as a wise, yet enigmatic servant. The children are also very solid and expressive. Eccleston makes a brief appearance, looking something like a more ravaged Ralph Fiennes if he'd starred in "The English Mental Patient". There are a few times in which the pace might seem that it could use a shove, but the overall texture and feel of the film is based on a deliberate mood which is set by this pace. Some people may be able to see one or more of the twists coming, but regardless, it is fun and suspenseful getting to them.