THE OTHERS (2001) Reviewed by Jerry Saravia August 15th, 2001
I never thought anyone would care to make a haunted house movie with such delicacy, vigor and intelligence as "The Others," but here it is and it is a stunning classic in the tradition of ghost stories. Funny how two years ago we were bombarded with a remake of "The Haunting" that threw all imagination to the winds with its countless special-effects and histrionic performances, and now comes a film of brooding menace and oodles of atmosphere and tension. Yes, it can still be done with nary a CGI effect.
The exquisite strength of Nicole Kidman continues with her latest role as a near-hysterical, icy, religious woman named Grace. Set in 1945 after World War II, Grace lives with her two children in an isolated mansion located in a foggy English island known as Jersey (one of the Channel Islands). Grace needs servants to look after the house and places an ad. Presto! The next day, a triad of Irish servants arrive at her house and are given a tour of every door and every room. Grace is adamant about keep each and every door closed and locked at all times so as to not let the slighest amount of light enter the house. The reason is because her two children, Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley), are allergic to the light to the point where it could kill them. The servants seem to have another agenda though and, as it turns out, they were formerly servants of the same house and know its deepest secrets that Grace can hardly prepare for. Yes, indeed, it is haunted, or is it! ?
"The Others" is in the fine tradition of excellent ghost stories such as the original "The Haunting" and the nervy "The Changeling," both dealing with haunted manors or mansions where pianos seem to play by themselves, floors seem to creak, attics are full of mysterious items, and so on. There is absolutely nothing in "The Others" that you have not seen before but rarely is it done with this much skill or panache. Spanish writer-director Alejandro Amenabar ("Open Your Eyes") understands that subtlety and imagination pay off in this kind of genre, and he does a superb job of creating an ominous atmospheric pull that builds the tension incredibly until the surprising ending.
Kidman helps to build the tension with her shrieking fits and her frequent hysterical episodes - her Grace is no ordinary heroine. She is fearful but always in control and it is a delicate balance brought on beautifully by Kidman, an actress who continues to surprise and engage me in each and every performance. What is also rendered is Kidman's genuine pathos, uncovering a gentle, human, loving woman who fights to protect her kids. Just look at her mania episodes and contrast them with her vulnerable, sunnier side when her husband (Christopher Eccleston) returns from the war looking like a famished zombie. It is an amazing performance by Kidman that I hope is remembered at Oscar time.
Alakina Mann and James Bentley are both excellent as the mature kids who love to read but are also afraid of the dark - they can't seem to get used to it enough, particularly the frightened Nicholas. They are kids who seem more mature than their years, a rare find in this day and age of cute, cuddly tots with no personality who never seem to mature (Olsen twins, anyone?).
The enigmatic servants are also well-portrayed. Fionnula Flanagan is the dear old Mrs. Mills who caters to Grace's needs though she does question Grace's behavior to her own children (still, Mrs. Mills makes a helluva good cup of tea). Elaine Cassidy is the mute Lydia, showing more expressions of sadness than I have seen in some time (she was the fabulous lead in Atom Egoyan's "Felicia's Journey"). Eric Sykes is Mr. Tuttle, the loyal gardener.
"The Others" is not per se a scary film (though there are a couple of requisite shocks) but it is an eerie, often frightening psychological drama, showcasing Kidman to full effect as a tormented woman who will do anything to protect her kids from the evils of the sunlit world. As she slowly becomes emotionally unbalanced in her fears and anxieties, you also sense the house itself has taken its toll on her.
For more reviews, check out JERRY AT THE MOVIES at http://moviething.com/members/movies/faust/JATMindex.shtml
E-mail me with any questions, comments or general complaints at faustus_08520@yahoo.com or at Faust668@aol.com
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