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Laramie Movie Scope:
The Others (Los Otros)

A literate, visually stunning chiller

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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August 20, 2001 -- There have been some very successful spooky films in the last couple of years, including "The Blair Witch Project," "Sixth Sense," and "Unbreakable." Those films don't have anything on "The Others," a movie that is very spooky, but also intelligent and refined. It also has a wicked twist ending, like a couple of the above-mentioned films.

This English-language film, a Spanish production, features an elegant production design, solid acting performances by Nicole Kidman et al, and excellent camera work by Javier Aguirresarobe ("Salsa"). The film is the American debut for the very capable Spanish writer-director, Alejandro Amenábar.

Kidman ("Moulin Rouge") stars as Grace, the mother of two children, Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley). Her husband has gone away to World War II and left the family in a huge Victorian mansion on the Isle of Jersey, off the northwest coast of France. The island is occupied by Germany during the war and Grace has not heard word of her husband in years. She feels ever more isolated in this remote, lonely house.

The house is creepy enough, but because the children are sensitive to light, the curtains must be closed whenever they are in the room. That makes the house seem baleful. Then one day a mysterious catastrophic event takes place. The servants leave and Grace and her children are left alone in the house. Just as mysteriously, three new servants appear at the front door, ready to work. Gradually, Grace becomes aware of other, unbidden visitors at the house. She can hear them, but not see them. Who are these invisible intruders? What do they want?

The screenplay is a little slow getting started, but it is involving enough that it really grabs the attention of the audience. The atmosphere of fear gradually builds up over the course of the film as Grace becomes more hysterical. Kidman hits perfect notes of stubbornness, desperation, denial and terror as the film builds to its climax. I've never seen her better. Fionnula Flanagan of "Waking Ned Divine," is excellent as the wise, old housekeeper, Mrs. Mills. She seems the only one who really knows what is going on. The production design by Benjamín Fernández ("Enemy of the State," "Dragonheart") is essential in setting up the dark mood of the film, and the camera work is also flawless.

This is not some lowbrow blood-spattered tale of Hollywood horror excess with big-bosomed bimbos bouncing around in the dark looking for slashers. This is a classic tale of the supernatural that earns its horror stripes the old fashioned way, with solid writing, acting and production values. It asks the age old questions: What happens when we die? How do the worlds of the dead and living interact? It tells the tale from a different point of view and it makes us think. There are a few more dishes here than one would normally expect from a typical supernatural movie entrée. This film rates a B+.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Copyright © 2001 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)