Scary movies are a challenge. Unlike a straight drama, you have more of an expectation than wanting to watch an engaging story. Like you want a comedy to make you laugh, you want a thriller to deliver the chills. And, in this day and age, when everything has pretty much been done over and over again, there isn’t much fresh material out there to exploit. A few years ago, director James Wan helmed the box-office hit Insidious. Many thought it was decent, and though Wan created a few jerks here and there, the whole enterprise was kind of a waste of time (for me, anyway). The core of the problem was the premise from Leigh Whannell (he's behind the Saw franchise). He bit off more than he could chew by delving into otherworldly aspects full-body after creating a haunted house movie. The suggestive nature that Wan expertly set up gave way to explanation and a payoff at the end that encouraged one to ask for their money back.
I was therefore pretty skeptical about The Conjuring and solicited opinions from others on whether I should invest my time and money. As I get older, I get less patient, and the idea of sitting through a bad film is just torturous for me. Insidious currently sits at a 66% on RT and Paranormal Activity, a film I loathe even more, rests at 83%. The Conjuring has managed an 85% RT, so the margin of error was pretty slim and I had no clue just where I would fall on the spectrum of popular opinion. After a close friend who is a horror aficionado shared that he loved it and prompted me to go see it, I relented, and I’m glad I did, because it actually was quite good.
The film is based on true events from the files of a real-life supernatural investigative couple Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, reuniting with Wan, and Vera Farmiga) from a script by twin brothers Chad and Carey Hayes (born in Portland, OR). We’re first introduced to them in an inventive full-throttle bit that packs a nice punch (it kind of schools American Horror Story on how to get things done), before we get to our story proper. It's 1971, and Roger and Carolyn Perron (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor) have moved into their Rhode Island home with their five daughters, only to learn that it’s haunted by demented spirits. And things just keep getting worse, even after the Warrens intervene.
Part of The Conjuring’s strength is that it doesn’t rely on delivering a wallop of an ending. The first hour lays its foundation like you might expect with creepy noises, spooky imagery, and odd events. Wan improves upon his directorial touches from Insidiouswith not just well-modulated jolts, but also steps up to the plate with early 1970s mise en scene. The costume and hair are outstanding, and the attention to detail in the production design is mesmerizing. But, just as one might be ready to check their watch (if they haven’t already), once the last forty-minutes hits, there’s very little room for one to catch their breath. While I never really jumped out of my seat, to say that I was riveted, would be putting it mildly. Yet, The Conjuringalso carefully carves out its storylines to the point where there is almost an emotional investment in the characters beyond what you might expect from this genre. And the way the layers brilliantly come together are part of the reason why it works, which brings to mind The Others. While there is some cheese (what do you expect from a horror film), a dash of camp (a quick moment on a television airing The Brady Bunch for one), and a little cheating, the story is smartly built and even manages to sell a few old overused tropes from films like The Exorcist with something as simple as a bed sheet.
Credit also goes to the top tier acting talent. Vera Farmiga is a lovely presence, as usual, and lends the film stature, while, Lili Taylor—not having been showcased in years—provides staggering nuance to her role as mother and wife. Taylor has always been a dependable actor, but she has never quite shined the way she deserves to. This is probably my favorite performance of hers since she sang about her boyfriend Joe one hundred different ways in Say Anything... decades ago. The supporting cast is also quite good.
Tastes of those who love the horror genre vary and, I find, don't often overlap when you break down specific film preferences/favorites. But, if you enjoyed Insidious, I can't see why you wouldn't feel the same way (or more) about The Conjuring. But, comparing the two makes me cringe, because they are in completely different leagues. While I wouldn't place this movie up there with the greats like Psycho, The Exorcist, Halloween, Poltergeist, etc, I can say this is the best horror film I've seen in quite a while.
0 comments:
Post a Comment