“The Orphanage” - far from Awful-age & more like Awe-filled-ness [Really Orph-full Review Title]

Original review on new website: http://www.MiniMiniMovie.com)

Film: The Orphanage (El Orfanato)

Year: 2007

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona

Venue: Prince Charles Cinema, London

Further Info: http://www.princecharlescinema.com/

Cast:

Belén Rueda

Fernando Cayo

Roger Príncep

Geraldine Chaplin

Running Time: 105 minutes

Tuesday 17th May

[Following "Julia's Eyes"... http://bit.ly/l8Iau5... ] I focused on exiting the cinema, like a man possessed [and intent on getting food], did my best to verify the ETA of the next film to appear on the screen & headed to the culinary un-delight vendor around the corner. I purchased a bite, headed back to the venue, grabbed a coffee and took position again in the cinema. If that reads a tad speedy that's because it was!

One quick and discreet phone-call later and the film was almost underway.

The Orphanage was On:

Amongst children seen playing, we see a scarecrow, which I must admit has the dress-sense and hair of one of Johnny Depp's famous characters. But which film am i thinking of? Benny & Joon perhaps. Anyway, it’s not important.

[Food for Thought: I take it crows are anti-christians and therefore fly away from such "Jesus-on-a-cross" stanced scarecrows...As I say, that's just Thought Food]

We're also introduced to some lovely titles...but lovely designed titles do not make a great film, of course. Yes, I was in a tad negative mood. Only a tad, due to my non-impressedness from the previously shown film, Julia's Eyes.

I liked the fact that this (along with Julia's Eyes) was a double-bill and therefore thought of the following:

Analogy Part I: Julia's Eyes involved...yes, you've guessed it, a women (named Julia!;) and problems with her eyesight.

Analogy Part II: The Orphanage and an early - and I guess you could say first real - scene featuring a woman waking up and therefore her eyes being opened.

Now... On the assumption that you'll know a tad about this movie already - even from posters I guess you can tell it's subject matter - I'll reveal vague suggestions of story.

Essentially, we are talking either about ghosts, invisible friends or poltergeists here. And on that 'revelation' there is a part where a trail is left for such beings...(or 'non-beings', would perhaps be more apt) ...and this path trailing reminded me either of Hansel & Gretal or E.T., or both.

Now, this is not the first film to use the idea of a fancy dress party and I'm sure there is many a fright film out there which does so, but this particular one did make me think that perhaps it would have been a different story without this party. Not that there wouldn't be a movie anyway but, well you'll perhaps see what I mean when you see this movie - if, indeed you haven't already seen this picture before...It was released back in 2007.

[And even if you have seen, I hope you're just interested in MiniMini's opinion and perhaps just want to be entertained by reading the review - after all, that's partly why I write these - see my Mini-Mission Statement ;)]

Now, shall we have a seance? Or what I like to call a House Market Evaluation..!? *laugh* (OR) *sigh* Anyway, perhaps it is just me, but I was thinking that the old woman employed to undertake such a task looked remarkably like an older version of the lead female. Also, I'm trying to recall where I've seen this (much) older woman in movies before... Hmm...

We then have a bit of a grown-up-Home-Alone scene as our main lady prepares to summon those whom perhaps she would be better leaving to their own devices. It's similarity is only slight, but a 'Home Alone' aspect I saw in more than one way.

I can't help my humour or word-playing - it just comes out - but there are some things I should apologise for and this could be one. Basically, one character is looking or reading a mirrored plaque on a grave... and I thought of him saying "I can see myself in that!" One day, yes. *sigh*

And with that bit of shallow philosophising I'll end this review on a higher note, just like a Hollywood happy ending.

A suspenseful thriller-come-horror, having taken us on an only vaguely cliched rollercoaster, rounds events off with an ending that big softie [and owner of a child's heart & mind, and perhaps an orphanage of Hollywood kid actors at his home] Steven Spielberg would be proud of.

[Trailer... Complete with cheesy American voiceover...: ]

[youtube=http://youtu.be/nUZQgqxIZ6s]