Heartpounder, thriller, masterpiece.

Rating: Null/10 (21 August 2001)

Critics raved about The Sixth Sense -- Critics raved about What Lies Beneath -- Now critics are RAVING about "The Others". A dark tale of a religious fanatic during WWII, taking care of her two photosensitive children and a dark, isolated old house. Nicole Kidman spells the word ELEGANCE. Yet in this movie she is done up very plain. Her accent is FLAWLESS. Kidman has been BLESSED with a gift and is showing it well this year in particular. First with the blockbuster story/musical of "Moulin Rouge" where Nicole was able to show her SINGING talents as well as ACTING talents. The people are anxiously awaiting "The Hours" starring opposite Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore. "The Others" is no normal ghost story -- but a psychological drama/thriller about a woman's fear and deterioration as she starts to fear her secluded house is haunted. The director is a visionary. Setting his scenes inside only by candlelight -- and the fog adds an amazing effect. The dark sound and haunting score make it the more eerie. I always try and imagine other actors or actresses in certain roles to see if their performances are worthy of awards or attention. Nicole Kidman has baffled me. I can't for the life of me see anyone portraying the role any better. The movie is better in all aspects than "The Sixth Sense" and "What Lies Beneath" (both of which tried to frighten with ARTIFICIAL scares). "The Others" never reverts to special effects for scares, only tense scenes, haunting music, amazing cinematography, stellar acting, breathtaking direction and ATMOSPHERE. Oscar Worthy performances by Kidman, director - Ammnebar, art direction, lighting, cinematography, among many other areas. Run don't walk to "The Others". *****/*****