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Directed By
Juan Antonio Bayona
Written By:
Sergio G. Sánchez
Cast:
Belén Rueda, Geraldine Chaplin, Mabel Rivera, Andrés Gertrúdix, Edgar Vivar, Fernando Cayo, Fernando Cayo, Roger Príncep, Carla Gordillo Alicia, Georgina Avellaneda, Oscar Guillermo Garretón, Montserrat Carulla
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The Orphanage (Orfanato, El) (2007)
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Movie Review by Jarrod
March 15th, 2008
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'The Orphanage' is a ghost story in the tradition of The Others and more specifically, Guillermo Del Toro's The Devil's Backbone, and to see his name among the producers is not terribly surprising. This is a subtle and chilling film, beautifully written and shot. Belen Rueda is Laura, who has moved with her doctor husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) and their son Simon (Roger Princep) to the orphanage she was in as a girl. She plans to reopen it and care for special needs children, but then Simon disappears, and she starts to think that the imaginary friends he talked about all the time are not really imaginary after all, especially when she sees and hears things. It could all be a product of her distress, her grief and worry over Simon, who is still missing after six months, and the whole event has begun to ruin her marriage to Carlos, who believes she is going at least a little insane. She is evaluated by a police psychologist, and eventually seeks assistance from a medium (Geraldine Chaplin). The film contains its share of frights and scares; the first major one involves the appearance of a creepy little kid in a sack mask, and more than a few scenes will cause sudden jolts and gasps. But, it is really all about atmosphere, dread and apprehension, the anticipation of what Laura will discover as she enters that dark cave, that little room under the stairs, that dilapidated shed in the courtyard.
There is an element of mystery, as Laura has memories of her childhood pals, and begins to piece together what may have happened to them 30 years ago, something that never crosses our minds until a particular moment. The line between reality and fantasy is fairly thin; there is always the possibility that Laura is imagining all of these things, much as Simon did, but the movie skillfully draws us to one side, and then back to the other. The ending is remarkable, and should never be spoiled by anyone, lest the whole experience is ruined. It introduces a jarring shift in mood and tone that is completely unexpected, but it works because it so lovingly and intelligently crafted. Belen Rueda is marvelous, supremely effective and convincing as Laura, haunted and wounded by the loss of her son. Her performance could carry the movie all by itself. Princep and Chaplin are also very good. Overall, a magnificent film.
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