An studio film with ArtHouse Sensibilities

Rating: Null/10 (12 August 2001)

Although this film is being compared to other films in it's genre,i was impressed with the production values,writing,performances,and cinematography.It was a welcome relief from the loud and obnoxious blockbusters i've been assaulted with since Tomb Raider all the way through to Planet of the Apes(willingly i must add).Although i enjoyed those films,i was more than ready for an atmospheric thriller that won't insult your intelligence,and that exhibits a refreshing sense of class and "Humanity".The claustrophobic atmosphere of the mansion and the isolation of it's inhabitants is real and palpable.There are genuine chills to be had,along with terrific performances by Kidman,and the talented young thespians who play her children.The women who plays an mute servant is also fantastic in a limited role(it amy seem easy,but it's probably more difficult to convey emotion without words).This can easily be considered an almost entirely performance based effort,entirely driven by it character's.It may resemble,or can be considered a cornucopia of countless other films,but i would definitely recommend this above average cinematic effort.It has enough originality,suspense,and subtext to entertain even the most cynical and jaded cinephiles,and it does'nt have any gore,or an abundance of cussing.It just might be this years summer phenomenon,and it would be well deserved.Also check out Open your Eyes(Abre Los Ojos),by the same director,it's been remade as Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise.