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The Haunting (1999)

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From Time Out Film Guide

While filming this bombastic supernatural thriller, director De Bont promised to eschew Robert Wise's 1963 version in favour of a faithful, if updated, adaptation of Shirley Jackson's source novel, The Legend of Hill House. De Bont also vowed to make sparing use of special effects. He reneged on both counts. Substituting dull computer generated spooks for atmosphere, scares and suspense, he has turned a frightening, unfathomable ghost story into a boring, solvable mystery. Like the human 'guinea pigs' drawn to Hill House by Dr David Marrow's alleged research into sleep disorders, we've been brought here under false pretences. The grotesque sets dwarf the actors, as the gliding camera pursues them down endless corridors, up staircases and into over-designed chambers. Thank heaven for Taylor, whose susceptible Nell occasionally succeeds in reducing things to a human scale. A timid soul who feels drawn to a Victorian house haunted by the unquiet souls of dead children - lured there 130 years before by childless textile tycoon Hugh Crain - Nell is the focus of the building's most extraordinary visual and aural manifestations. Sadly the ambiguity and complexity of Taylor's portrayal only shows up the insipidity of Neeson's bland psychologist, Zeta-Jones' bisexual vamp and Wilson's oddball sceptic.

Author: NF

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

Mr Perfection said...

Posted on Mar 17 2009 20:43 A air of excitement, Liam Neeson: a Man of mystery and Charm, a givin talent to story tell and definate movie builder.Lili Taylor whose life is been up rooted by the death of her mother and loss of her apartment, later finding she had family ties with the owner and builder of the House, is the only one who can save the childern of hill house. a movie of passion, horror and things that go bump in the night. a Masterpiece

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