Orphan (C- or 1.5/4 stars)
A devastated couple who tragically loses their unborn baby adopt a 9 yr. old girl who may or may not be the Devil's spawn in 'Orphan', directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The story: Kate & John Coleman (Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard) are looking for a 3rd child in the wake of the stillborn death of daughter, Jessica. The death of this baby is conveyed in a truly horrifying opening sequence; setting the tone for quite the creepy movie. The tragic death has taken a toll on both Kate & her marriage. Needing some normalcy in their lives, the couple decides that adoption could be a great & loving way to fill the void. Kate, haunted by demons from her past, has a history of mental instability (sees a therapist) & alcohol abuse, but appears to have left that problem behind her. The couple's deaf daughter, Max, wants a sister, while their son, Daniel (Jimmy Bennett, of Star Trek), could really care less.
John & Kate visit a local orphanage & decide to adopt the enigmatic Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), a smart, articulate, oddly polite girl who wears her hair & clothes as if she were from another era. At first, she seems like a great little girl; learning sign language for Max, bonding with John, her new daddy, & enjoying music with Kate, her new mommy. But after she's picked on at school (for being an odd duck ... Russian accent, awkward conversation, ribbons in her hair, on her neck & around her wrists), a darker side of Esther surfaces. An alarming series of events start occurring. And Kate is lead to believe that her new, troubled daughter may not be all that she's cracked up to be. Can she get John to see past Esther's sweet facade? Is anything wrong with Esther? If so, what is it? Or is Kate (as John haphazardly believes) just struggling in the aftermath of their baby trauma?
To put in succinctly, I just wasn't wild about this thriller; I'd say it's more that than a horror flick. There are some competent performances sprinkled about. Vera Farmiga is actually very good as the empathetic Kate; and boy can she scream well. Isabelle Fuhrman, only 11 when making this, shows amazing potential as the beguiling, manipulative little creep. Peter Sarsgaard is fine -- I just hated his character. He plays one of those righteous morons who can't see something that's staring him right in the face (his evil child from Hell). I just felt like punching him; as to say "Wake up!". Aside from the performances, I'd say the other strong suit of the film is its portentous atmosphere. I liked the milieu, the music & the sterilized feel of the film. And the other thing that makes the movie stand apart is its completely audacious plot twist. It's ABSURD. But I'll take absurd over boring.
All that said, 'Orphan' is a long (for this genre), difficult film to sit through. I like creepy, but this depraved; just UGLY from beginning to end. I mentioned the opening dream-like sequence where Kate loses her unborn child; horrifying. The very idea of a demonic little girl doesn't sit well. I understand why family service organizations are denouncing the film. The melancholy in all of the characters really brought me down. Stupid 'boo' moments, little children getting hurt; alcohol, mental illness, possible pedophilia, that 'twist' ... and the chaotic, bloody climax. I don't know. It's just not a movie I'd ever wish to re-visit. I'm impressed by a few aspects. It does a good job masking if Esther is misunderstood or psycho. But by the end, whatever she is, you just want to kill the b*tch and leave.
John & Kate visit a local orphanage & decide to adopt the enigmatic Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), a smart, articulate, oddly polite girl who wears her hair & clothes as if she were from another era. At first, she seems like a great little girl; learning sign language for Max, bonding with John, her new daddy, & enjoying music with Kate, her new mommy. But after she's picked on at school (for being an odd duck ... Russian accent, awkward conversation, ribbons in her hair, on her neck & around her wrists), a darker side of Esther surfaces. An alarming series of events start occurring. And Kate is lead to believe that her new, troubled daughter may not be all that she's cracked up to be. Can she get John to see past Esther's sweet facade? Is anything wrong with Esther? If so, what is it? Or is Kate (as John haphazardly believes) just struggling in the aftermath of their baby trauma?
To put in succinctly, I just wasn't wild about this thriller; I'd say it's more that than a horror flick. There are some competent performances sprinkled about. Vera Farmiga is actually very good as the empathetic Kate; and boy can she scream well. Isabelle Fuhrman, only 11 when making this, shows amazing potential as the beguiling, manipulative little creep. Peter Sarsgaard is fine -- I just hated his character. He plays one of those righteous morons who can't see something that's staring him right in the face (his evil child from Hell). I just felt like punching him; as to say "Wake up!". Aside from the performances, I'd say the other strong suit of the film is its portentous atmosphere. I liked the milieu, the music & the sterilized feel of the film. And the other thing that makes the movie stand apart is its completely audacious plot twist. It's ABSURD. But I'll take absurd over boring.
All that said, 'Orphan' is a long (for this genre), difficult film to sit through. I like creepy, but this depraved; just UGLY from beginning to end. I mentioned the opening dream-like sequence where Kate loses her unborn child; horrifying. The very idea of a demonic little girl doesn't sit well. I understand why family service organizations are denouncing the film. The melancholy in all of the characters really brought me down. Stupid 'boo' moments, little children getting hurt; alcohol, mental illness, possible pedophilia, that 'twist' ... and the chaotic, bloody climax. I don't know. It's just not a movie I'd ever wish to re-visit. I'm impressed by a few aspects. It does a good job masking if Esther is misunderstood or psycho. But by the end, whatever she is, you just want to kill the b*tch and leave.