A big old mansion house looms on the horizon of a Jersey coastline, threateningly dark, intricately detailed with multiple windows and doors. It's 1945, Grace (Nicole Kidman) and her two children Anne and Nicholas, reside in the house of darkness, waiting longingly for Charles (Grace's husband), to return from war.
Restricted by illness, Grace and the children can't leave the house. Afflicted with photosensitive skin, blisters will appear if exposed to light, brighter than a candle, sunlight will kill them.
Grace, despite her worries, proffers qualities of a strict mother, with love for her children undoubtedly, but possesses no redeeming personality traits to soften the harsh edge of her character.
The servants disappeared from the house, leaving Grace on her own, abandoned; her faith is restored when three workers turn up on the doorstep, in response to her newspaper advertisement, for servants. Mrs. Mills, Lydia and Mr. Tuttle, join the residence.
Anne and Nicholas are constantly aware of 'the others' whom they share the house with, seeing apparitions and hearing voices. Grace refuses to believe them, but gradually succumbs to the concept; they are not alone in the house.
Frightened and helpless, Grace enlists the help of God and prayer to help them through, but nothing can help them…
In less than full possession of her senses, Grace's grasp of reality becomes more twisted and distorted, isolating herself from her frightened children.
The Others, moves from scene to scene, delicately lit with the flicker of a candle, littered with the presence of icy Grace, gliding through the house in search of the intruders. Brimming with classic haunted house anecdotes, and spooky woods, engulfing the house, it fails to provide any new scenarios. That's not to dismiss the quality of the movie, as the lack of originality is compensated by strong characters, each with their own eerie agenda.
For seat-jumping-moment lovers and thrill-seeking fanatics, The Others will test your patience, with an intolerable tedious build up to the 'grande finally'.
The movie barely possess' enough intermitant, frightening moments to hold your interest, long enough to reach the ever-anticipated, amazing twist and exellent ending. But, quite frankly, five fantastic minutes, make up for nothing!
Film viewed at
Warner Village Cinema
Cardigan Fields
Kirkstall Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS4 2DJ
Tel: 44+113 2799855
