AKA: The Orphanage – Runtime: 105 Minutes – Country: Mexico / Spain
Laura (Belén Rueda) is a girl who grew up on a rural orphanage, becoming an adopted child finally. Years later she decides to return – the house has been uninhabitated for several years now. Accompanied by her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) and her 6-year-old son Simón (Roger Príncep) she settles in again – full of beans and with a lot of eager plans. She wants to revive the orphanage by taking in some seriously ill children from the surrounding area.
Meanwhile Simón is trying to get used to the new and exciting environment – but the only friends that he has found so far are imaginary ones… he keeps talking about them, Laura and Carlos are ascribing this to the difficult ways of getting familiar with a new area – and of course, to the normal childhood imagination. But things are getting serious when Tomás (Óscar Casas), one of his imaginary friends, is appearing to Laura too…
What is the scary social worker up to… ?
Shortly after that Simón is gone missing – and Laura slowly realizes that all of the recent events must be connected in some way. The police surely investigates in terms of this case – but it is no use. After many months without any sign of life, she finally starts her own research. Not only referring to her missing son – but also by recalling her own past once more, which seems to play an important part. She asks for the advice of a specialist in terms of supernatural occurrences – and now a whole team of modernly equipped ghostbusters is visiting the old orphanage. There just has to be a common explanation for this…
Simón has drawn his new found friends…
This surely is an interesting motion picture produced by Guillermo Del Toro – whom one might remember from related productions (for example, Pan’s Labyrinth). And, it obviously has many similarities to other films – just remember El Espinazo Del Diablo, or especially: Darkness which has been directed by Jaume Balagueró. I am drawing these comparisons because I think that the basic storyline of El Orfanato does not really differ: an abandoned orphanage or children’s home as the overall basis, with dead children who are appearing as ghosts that are still attached to the house. Often by referring to an unknown event that happened long ago – an event that was so cruel that the secret behind it just has to be revealed at some point. Basically this is not anything new…
Young Simón is told about his true origin… he reacts with an outburst of fury
But, and to accentuate the film again: it definitely has enough energy to maintain a unique atmosphere – which is very frightening indeed. Their arrival in the house, the slowly appearing danger, the search for Simón, the accounting for the past – all of these topics are perfectly fitting together. You certainly would not get bored here – at least I was totally drawn to the question where Simón really is. And of course: the related quest of his mother, who steady takes encouragement from her love to her son; even when all of the others – and even her husband – had given up…
Will they encounter the truth with the help of technical equipment ?
Unfortunately the plot is rather elusive at some points – and often not very logical. At least that is how it appeared to me. For example, take the scene where the social worker is runned over by a car – why would this happen at all ? It reminded me of other films where a truth is surpressed – but here it does not really seem to fit. Furthermore, many aspects stay unanswered. Why are the ghosts haunting Laura by this means – especially the scene where Tomás rather attacked here is not really explained. However, thumbs up for the general technical part. The great camera work, the sinister soundtrack – it definitely underlines the overall impression. Another compliment to the achievements of the actors – especially Belen Rueda as the desperate mother did an outstanding and totally believable job.
Laura is trying to get in touch with the spirits that are still living in the house…
Finally, and without further spoiling – a well above average horror-film with a familiar storyline. But it turns out to be a very exciting realization. I will not spoil the end here, but so state it: it definitely surprised me. While the main part of this movie appeared like an ordinary horror flick, the ending could have been well sorted into the drama genre. At least I was moved, and before that: continuously thrilled. What a great mixture, in my opinion – 8.3/10.
I have found another blog that is somehow connected with this film, and especially it’s young childactor Roger Príncep – click here to pay it a visit.
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