Jane feels that the new ghostly Hollywood?/ BBC film "The Awakening" had a great setup: A ghost-busting author who exposes charlatans in 1920s England who gets a hot sexy jolt when supernatural visitors unexpectedly show up at a school where she has been hired to dispel reports of haunted goings-on. boo! With the influenza (i.e. the Flu, duh) epidemic stealing too many souls before their time, the background is perfect for a good, old-fashioned ghost story.
Jane feels that the trouble with this film is that the resolution may leave you a little unsatisfied and even confused (while keeping in mind the fact that confusion is an essential ingredient for every charlatan's rabbit hat). A lot of tension and buildup leads us to ... well, it's hard to say.
This doesn't mean that this film isn't without its good points. Combining elements of Merchant and Ivory (excellent period costumes, historic locations, etc.) with the scares (and plot devices that were combined with the guy's loud snoring sitting in front of me) of movies like "The Sixth Sense" and "The Others," director Nick Murphy's film provides its share of mystery and chills.
And though it's hard to believe Rebecca Hall as a 1920s Londoner - she seems quite modern - Hall is a talented actress who convincingly conveys author Florence's journey from skeptic to terrified participant.
Perhaps this is a film that needs to be seen several times to fully understand the last 20 minutes. But in my book that's not what a great ghost story should do. When all else fails, wake up at 3:15am, look into your bathroom mirror and shout "Boo !" as loud as you can (actually do this a few times in a row). Wake up the neighbors, and you're good:) and that kinda scare wont cost you any money, it's 100% FREE of charge even if your landlord complains about the mysterious early morning creepy shouting heard from the toilet area of his/now your flat.
TTFN. Boo! and bye.
TTFN. Boo! and bye.
