Review of The Orphanage (2007) by Maytee G — 11 Apr 2011

The Orphanage is a good film. There is no doubt in my mind about that. My problem lies in the fact it is not a good film by Guillermo Del Toro, the producer or something, who has made some amazing films. I'm sure this film could have been improved, probably by a much better ending, although the scares seemed genuine and I did not feel cheated as I do in some other films, and the acting was terrific.

I will attempt not giving things away, but in advance, I apologise for any spoilers I may leak. The film builds quite slowly, starting almost happily. However, as the film progresses it gets darker, and takes on a much more sinister tone, delving into madness and murder. Laura, her husband Carlos and adopted son Simón move into an old orphanage, Laura's former home, with dreams of starting a home for special needs kids. This goes pear shaped when a ghostly presence is felt by Simón, who comes to believe that he has made some imaginary friends. Soon afterwards, Laura is the one haunted by the ghosts of the orphanage, and is driven close to insanity by the secrets held in the house.

The slow build of tension to that first encounter with the masked child set the pace and tone for this new take on the haunted house story, and the scares come naturally. It manages to avoid cheap or overused scare tactics, and this gives the film an uneasy feel, however the slower scenes that intersect major scenes nearing the end (when the films should really begin reaching towards the final climax) take away from the suspense.

The acting is terrific, and Laura is captivating as the desperate mother who wants nothing more than to protect her child. Her skills make her easy to sympathise with, which is definitely a plus, considering the lacklustre ending which left me feeling a bit cheated. If not for this actress, the ending would have made this a rotten film.

My Rating: 80%.

Standardised: 60%.