The Others

Okay, I love this film. Firstly, it’s a thriller set in an enclosed space. I love thrillers set in enclosed spaces (Cube, Rear Window, Panic Room, The Hole). Secondly, it’s a film where the absence of anything definite counts. This film is all about what could happen – the implied threat is the most important member of the cast, and very little is actually shown. Any film maker that can make you feel something (fear, sadness, apprehension) without actually showing you anything will inevitably receive praise from from me.

The cinematography is stunning, as is the sound design and lighting. (One particular shot featuring a face (you’ll know it when you see it) is possibly the best use of lighting ever used in a feature film.) The acting was fantastic (especially the kids), and since I don’t have a problem with Kidders, I have a lot less to complain about than Mark.

Basically I loved everything about this film, even the twenty minute setup at the start of the film which practically signposts all the difficulties that will come into play later on.

This film came out soon after The Sixth Sense, and was thus labelled as a copy by many. Admittedly, if I had been told that M. Night Shyamalan had made this film I wouldn’t have doubted it. He and Amenabar’s films do share many traits, and it boils down to the fact that both The Sixth Sense and The Others are traditional ghost stories at heart.

That being said, I have still been scared on repeat viewings of The Others, whereas that didn’t happen the second time I saw The Sixth Sense.

Mark’s gonna trash this film, but pay no attention to him. He’s just sad it didn’t feature his beloved Humphrey ‘I wear old man pants’ Bogart.

A near perfect film.