Strong storyline makes for great film

Rating: 9/10 (20 November 2001)

A film which could have otherwise ended up as another run-of-the-mill horror (see scathing critique of Jeepers Creepers by yours truly) generates instead into a masterpiece of modern-day cinema. The story unfolds in an excellent manner, allowing the viewer no chance to question what will occur subsequently, but only to absorb every piece of information thrown to them, and to try to decypher what it is actually taking place. The end is excellently thought through and transforms the entire film from a shock-horror into a well crafted tale of misinterpretation and retrospective reasoning.
I felt the acting throughout was strong, with especial mention to Nicole Kidman, who not only commanded the English accent and demeanour of the mother brilliantly, but also gave to the audience a character whom they could follow, as we discover the truth as she does. The children were entirely convincing, and delivered their lines with the skills of someone much older and more experienced. And the appearance of the great English comedian Eric Sykes really brought the atmosphere home. An excellent film which I heartly recommend.