The Haunting
The Haunting is one of those films that is beautiful to look at, but doesn't really
deliver on its promise. The special effects are terrific but the story isn't so
hot.
The Haunting is ostensibly about a group of 3 people who are lured to an old mansion
to take part in research for sleeplessness. Secretly though, the researcher (Liam
Neeson) is actually doing a study on fear. He lures Eleanor (Lili Taylor), Theo
(Catherine Zeta-Jones) and a guy (sorry, I can't remember either his character's name or the
actor's) to an old old mansion where almost immediately Eleanor begins to experience
supernatural events. Other people experience strange things too, but Eleanor is the
focal point of the weirdness.
Lili Taylor's Eleanor is an interesting woman, a sort of anachronism in herself.
She spent 11 years taking care of her mother and doesn't fit into the world as it
is now. Theo (Zeta-Jones) doesn't really seem to have a reason to be there, except
to make Eleanor look plainer, or as window dressing.
Along with Lili Taylor's measured performance, the special effects are the reason
to see this movie. The statues move, the cherubs speak, rugs suddenly sweep people
away...very cool stuff. Just not very scary.
Should you see this film? Hmm. Well, if you are a fan of indie film star Lili Taylor,
yes. If you want to see some cool effects and not be too scared, yes. If you want
serious chills....no! I'm not sure how the effects will transfer to the small screen, but I think this is a wait until it's on video kind of show.
On the Stella Starstruck scale, I give it *** 3 stars out of 5.
Lili Taylor has been brilliant in some other films, my personal favourites are Mystic
Pizza (with Julia Roberts), and Dogfight (with River Phoenix). Check them out, at
your local video store.
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