Is Alejandro becoming the Spanish M. Night? I hope not.

Rating: 6/10 (16 May 2002)

After seeing Amenabar's stunning "Open Your Eyes," I greatly
anticipated his follow-up, "The Others." Unfortunately, his
English-language sophomore effort is a terrible let-down. It had a
lot of potential, and it was actually a film that I wanted to like - if it
weren't for some unfortunate plot contrivances.
Instead of weaving an intricate web of subjective psychology,
horror and supernatural ambiance, in an homage to "The
Innocents" (and "The Turn of the Screw" on which it was based),
the director gives us a shallow, contrived "twist-ending" thriller,
which doesn't have a whole lot to say or offer. In this sense, it
would seem that Amenabar shares a lot in common with his
American counterpart, M. Night Shymalan - the denouement-meister.
To the film's credit, the cinematography is georgeously gothic. The
first half of the film generates a good deal of creepiness through
the atmosphere alone. As well, the performances are stellar -
from Nicole Kidman's hysterical mother, to her pale-faced children.
But again, it's amazing how much one lazy stroke in a script - in
this case, the "things are not as they seem, but you saw it from a
mile away" plot twist - can sink a promising venture.
Where's a script editor when you need one?