Product: The Haunting [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
One of my All-Time Favorites!!
I LOVE this movie!! I saw it in the theater at least three times and now own it on DVD. It may not have the pure psychological chills of the original B&W; version, but it is plenty scary--far scarier than, say, the pathetic joke that was "The Blair Witch Project", which was released at the same time.If you like a bunch of gratuitous gore, look elsewhere. This movie has real class, and an excellent cast. Bruce Dern and Marian Seldes brief performances set up the piece perfectly. One of my favorite early scenes is where Eleanor (Lili Taylor) echoes Mrs. Dudley's warnings about no one coming near the house after dark (when Mrs. Dudley is creepily explaining the situation to Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones).The other characters are excellent as well: Liam Neeson plays the jaded and ethically challenged Dr. David Marrow to a T. His blase' and unbelieving attitude towards the terror the others feel early on makes it that much more terrifying--and satisfying--when the house reaches out to get him. You know it's going to happen, and when it does I, at least, felt like: "it's about time he got a taste of his own medicine!"Theo's free spirit is a perfect conterpoint to Eleanor's repressed and sheltered character. In the early scenes where the two are exploring the amazing house it is clear that this is the most fun Eleanor has had in decades. Owen Wilson comes across with a gentle cockiness--a sweet, humorous young man who tries to show bravado in the face of the growing terror--sort of an "I'll protect you, little lady (even though I'm as scared as you are)" attitude.Most critics would say the true star of the movie is the house itself--and the special effects that make it move and attack. Indeed, the set is incredible, the effects are fantastic, but the movie would be nothing without the varied personalities of the actors.Perhaps the most chilling scene is Eleanor's vision in the mirrored carousel room, when Eleanor's mirror doublegives her an absolutely creepy smile.For all of the effort the others go to to protect Eleanor, it is she who proves to be the strongest and the bravest--a nice twist when the hero's of most movies are men.All in all, a terrific "Class A" movie that can be watched again and again and never get any less spooky.