Review of The Blair Witch Project (1999) by Ruby H — 03 Oct 2012

I have watched this film half a dozen times and I take pride in this, considering I didn't much liked it the first time around. I had no problem with the abrupt ending but I was enormously disappointed with the total lack of scares.

Still, I found myself returning again and again and it slowly dawned on me.

Whisper it softly...its not about the scares... Boo!

Of course, some people found it scary but it takes all kinds right? What now satisfies me so much is, first and foremost, the cast. Heather Donahue is a treat and Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams aren't bad either, all very believable. More impressive is the subtle yet peculiar cast of townspeople (some of them actors some not).The scene with the baby bursting in tears and trying to cover mama's mouth while she tells our doomed protagonists about the Blair Witch will stay with me for a long time. And I don't mind.

Partly improvised, the overall feeling is hate-it-or-love-it and I don't think there's a movie more fitting to that term.

My opinion, this is a barrier-breaking, hugely influential, milestone in indie filmaking with a deep sense of character.