—The Orphanage (El Orfanato)
–Executive Producer: Guillermo del Toro
–Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
–Screenplay: Sergio G. Sanchez
–5/5 stars 
My predilection for gothic stories does not end with books, it also expands to the movies I see. While I enjoy a good scary horror film now and then, nine times out of ten I would rather see a well done, old-fashioned ghost story that hearkens back to the type of film made in the day when ‘scary’ was not equated with ‘gore’. Not since The Others has there been a film this rich with ‘atmosphere’.
With The Orphanage Guillermo del Toro proves that he is not just an amazing director, but that he has an eye for talent as well. Director Juan Antonio Bayona has crafted a haunting tale that is as beautiful as it is suspenseful. The Orphanage has garnered significant critical praise and is Spain’s choice for the 2007 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.
The large gothic house that is the orphanage in the opening scenes drew me into this film and from that point onward it had me in its clutches. The story centers around Laura, a woman in her late 30’s who, with her husband and young child, move back into the house that was the orphange that she grew up in. Together they are renovating the place in order to open a home for sick children. This idyllic scene begins to turn tragic as the couple discover that their son’s cast of imaginary friends is starting to grow.
Everything about the look and feel of this film is exquisitely haunting. The edifice that acts as the orphange, situated on the edge of the sea next to an old lighthouse, is gorgeous. The place is a paradise for those who like deliciously creepy old homes. I was in awe of the house and the grounds throughout the entire film. It practically oozed a sense of foreboding. The entire film was shot in brooding, overcast tones that put the viewer in the perfect emotional state to experience every chilling moment.
The cast was expertly chosen. Belen Rueda plays the lead, Laura, to perfection. She is a beautiful actress whose expressions told as much of the story as did her words. Fernando Cayo plays her husband, Carlos, and the couple has a really nice and believable chemistry. Children in horror films are sometimes creepy in and of themselves, Roger Princep as Simon is an exception to that rule. He is a chubby-cheeked cutie who in some ways reminded Mary and I of a younger Fred Savage from his Princess Bride days. Together these three take up the bulk of the film’s story, and yet each and every member of the supporting cast was excellent. There was not one person whose look or performance detracted from the film. Kudos to the casting director.
The Orphanage is a beautiful film. I found myself drawn to the plight of these characters and in a mere 98 minutes formed strong emotional connections to them. Based on the conversation that Mary, Tori and I had on the way home The Orphanage is certainly the kind of film that elicits different emotional reactions from different viewers. I personally found the film to be tragic, terrifying, sad and ultimately heart-warming all at the same time. A day later I find myself having similar feeling towards the film that I have for The Others, one of my all-time favorite horror films.
The Orphanage delivers a suspenseful, captivating viewing experience and is a film that must be seen. If Guillermo del Toro’s golden touch continues, I cannot help but be on the edge of my seat in anticipation of this summer’s release of Hellboy 2. I highly recommend this beautiful Spanish film. I cannot help but want to see this film again in the theatre and will certainly be adding it to my collection when it comes out on DVD.
A friend recommended this to me a couple of weeks ago… she said that, although different, it was as good as Pan’s Labyrinth. With that and your review, I am completely sold!
I had no idea this was out already! I saw the preview for this awhile back when Gaiman linked to it and it looked amazing. I’m running off now to check and see if it’s playing anywhere over here. Sounds like something I can’t miss!
Yay! It’s playing here and I’m going to see it at 10:30 tonight 🙂
Carl, where the hell is this movie in town! I’m really losing my touch if I didn’t know.
Cameron: At the AMC 20 in Independence! I was shocked as well!
Chris: Look forward to your thoughts on it.
Nymeth: I like Pan’s better, but not by a lot. It was a great film.
I’ve been wondering about whether or not to see this one. I loved Pan’s Labyrinth, though. After reading your review, I will have to put it on my list.
oh, we loved this movie! There aren’t enough of this sort of quietly tragic, creepy film being made anymore…so glad you liked it!
RB: There really aren’t enough movies like this made, you are completely right.
Kim: Go see it Kim, I don’t think you’ll regret it.
It was amazing! I was completely swept away in it from beginning to end and I can’t add much more to what you said about it. Del Toro never ceases to amaze me with his visual styling and I love the bits of storytelling throughout his movies. I could watch it all over again right now! Thanks for letting me know it was out, you made my night 🙂
Oh now this sounds like one for me! Great review Carl, I’m very keen to see this one!
Is it subtitles? I loved Pan’s but subtitles really detract from the whole experience for me. But that’s just me.
Yep, it is subtitled Tom. Subtitles are an interesting thing because they really bother some people and don’t for others. I don’t even notice them once the movie starts. This is really worth seeing Tom, despite the subtitles.
Chris: Glad you enjoyed it. One of the things I didn’t touch on at all was all the intricacies of the film and all the symbolism and foreshadowing that go on throughout the movie. There are so many significant things that happen throughout the film. I really enjoyed how the film makers tied all those things together. It is a movie that can be talked about long after it is over.
Quix: Yes, go see it!
Sometimes I find subtitles a little distracting, but it really depends on how well they and the movie are done. The subtitles for Pan’s Labyrinth were excellent, and I didn’t feel like I was watching a movie with subtitles at all. Hope this is the case here too.
I was captivated from the first moment as well. I thought Id have some issues with the subtitles (because I thought it would ruin the mood) but not at all.
Did you get to see the previews for Hellboy?
Yes, Loo and it looks incredible! I cannot wait to see it.
Quix: (and Loo and Tom)…for whatever reason I was sold on subtitled films from the first one I saw: Delicatessen by Jean Pierre Jeunet. I would much rather watch foreign films in their original language with the subtitles on. To me it adds to the whole experience. I’m sure part of it is that I find lips moving with words that are not in synch much more distracting than having to read while watching a film. This one is sort of like Pan’s Labyrinth in that there is plenty of down time where it is just images and music and mood and not talking. In that sense there is less to be distracted about.
I have to agree with you Carl, I much prefer subtitles to dubbing. I find after a while I don’t even notice it. Plus I always pick up a word or two in whatever language the movie is in.
I’m about sick of all the gory horror movies, if you’ll excuse the pun, it’s been done to death!
I don’t mind the gore depending on the movie. If something like 28 Days Later or 28 Weeks Later has some gore in it then I’m fine with that as I go in expecting it. As long as their is a pittance of a story there then I’m fine with it. But I much prefer these type of ‘horror’ films. They have an art to them that gives them more depth than a typical slasher film. At least that is my opinion.
Carl, really weird that you should mention Delicatessen! It shipped to me today from Netflix. I’ve never seen it, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll prob watch it tomorrow night!
That is a very odd coincidence, Chris. Have you seen Amelie, City of Lost Children, or A Very Long Engagement..all other Juenet films? I love them all. Delicatessen is so quirky and dark. It has some really black comedy mixed with some significant weirdness. And it has a nice little romance running through it as well.
I’ve seen Amelie…one of my favorite films of all time! I haven’t seen City of Lost Children yet, but it’s on my Netflix queue too…I’ve been looking at that one for years, but have yet to rent it. I’ll let you know what I think of Delicatessen
This was my other option for a birthday movie, but I stuck to my guns and went with Sweeney Todd!! I do have to say this looks great!!! But my husband hates subtitles almost as much as he hates musicals. The man really isn’t a lot of fun!!
The more I look at the poster, the more I become intrigued. So the question is rental or big screen?
Tom: Hmmmm…you know that I just love seeing movies at the theater, and experiencing a sinister, scary movie with a crowd is even better. There are some really beautiful views of the house, the sea, etc. that are fun to see on the big screen, but it certainly isn’t a movie that has to be seen at the theatre to be enjoyed. Hows that for a wishy-washy answer?
Stephanie: Well its good that you got him to go anyway.
Chris: Amelie is the best. I am looking forward to your thoughts on Delicatessen. It is a bizarre film, as is City of Lost Children.
this looks great!
first neil gaiman says what he said about this and now you… ooh, i definitely want to see this – especially after missing “pan’s labrynth” at the movies, i definitely want to see this one on the big screen, as there’s something so wonderfully cinematic about him. he really does treat the screen as a canvas. (that makes him sound more painterly than cinematic – but you get what i mean! 😉 )
You don’t need to take my advice if Neil recommended it! ha! 🙂
Pan’s Labyrinth was great at the cinema and the more I think about my above answer to Tom the more I would want to encourage people to see this in the theatre. To me this is a no-risk film as far as spending money on it because it is that interesting.
I’m with you, I love a good scary story but I want substance and not just special effects or gore to make the story scary. The Others is one of my favorites.
I really want to see this one and hopefully will get to it soon.
Substance over effects and gore is certainly what I prefer in every movie, but horror movies especially.
Like I said before, I’m glad you were able to catch this one at the theater. The review sounds great and I’m sure I will rent it when it comes out on DVD. There’s just no way I’ll make it to the theater to see this one at this time. I’m not a big fan of subtitles myself but I won’t let them stop me from seeing a film I really want too though. I will choose a dubbed track over a subtitled one myself. Feel free to shame me now. 🙁 Sorry Carl.
You ain’t got no class, Jeff. No class… 😉 I’ll bet you don’t lift your pinky finger when you drink tea. Or use fine china when eating a Big Mac. You probably even have to turn your own pages when you read, don’t you, rather than having the butler do it. I can’t believe I hang out with you.
LOL! It’s the Le Big Mac is it not? Chinette paper plates of course! You don’t hang out with me so much as I just happen to appear wherever you are in case someone needs to take a bullet for you for writing such inflamatory blog posts.
Cool, Carl, how’d you see this so early? I’m jealous. I’m so in the mood for another gothic thriller like Others. Can’t wait!
I was incredibly shocked that it was in theatres already Rob. We just happened to stumble across it in the movie listings earlier that morning. Considering it actually ‘officially’ came out last year, just not here, I shouldn’t have been surprised that it was out. I’m sorry there wasn’t more fanfare for this on television adds, etc. as it really is a movie worth seeing.