Stir of Echoes (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
After being hypnotized by his sister-in-law, Tom (Kevin Bacon) begins seeing visions of a girl's ghost in 'Stir of Echoes', directed by David Koepp. This is a full-on ghost story. That said, even if you're not a wild fan of them, this one is actually quite good. It succeeds (unlike SO many) because it doesn't rely on gore, loud noises, or jolts to create an effect. Instead, a creepy atmosphere is set from the beginning. Suspense is built slowly. The plot (though supernatural) isn't over-the-top nonsense. And the characters (acted well by all) are grounded in reality. I was very scared throughout this film. And that rarely happens with me.
Tom is a normal man: works a normal job, married to a pregnant wife, & already has a young son. One night, at a neighborhood party, Tom allows himself to get hypnotized by Lisa (oddball, Illeana Douglas), & he falls into a deep trance. While in his mind, Lisa suggests that he keep his mind 'open'; this is known as a post-hypnotic suggestion. Unfortunately for Tom, this wields disastrous results. Tom begins experiencing paranormalities; including seeing the ghost of a teenage girl (Jenny Morrison) whose been missing for some time. Not only that, he's also witnessing some disturbing, warped images of an act of grisly violence.
Tom's son (Zachary David Cope) is also a 'receiver'; someone who's more open than others to feeling/seeing/talking to spirits. Angry & confused, Tom's wife, Maggie (Kathryn Erbe), struggles to maintain normalcy as her son & husband appear to be 'losing it'. She believes them, but feels distant from them emotionally. Before long, Tom becomes obsessed with contacting the girl ghost & understanding what it is she's trying to tell him. He loses his job. He neglects his friends. And people start suspecting TOM as the one responsible for the missing teenager. Who is she? Where is her body? Who killed her? How … and why?
'Stir of Echoes' lends some startling imagery. The use of tight close-ups is employed several times (I shunned away in fear). There are some distorted shots interspersed throughout the story (this is both disorientating & unsettling). There are a few moments when the screen goes red and an alarm sounds off. There's a special effect employed where a person walks slowly, but a camera technique speeds them up; making them look otherworldly. There's a horrifying image involving a fingernail. There's a terrifying shot of someone struggling to breathe with a bag over their head. And the most effective sequence of the movie occurs with that initial hypnotization. Illeana Douglas' voice, what she's saying, what we're seeing, the disquiet of it all ... very haunting & very memorable.
The other main reason why the film works is because the characters are all normal people. Tom & Maggie are hardworking people with little money; and the same marital highs & lows. He's beside himself that these things are happening to him. She desperately wants to support him, but is unable to understand the supernatural forces at play. Kevin Bacon & Kathryn Erbe convey their characters extremely well. They're simply more developed than the usual protagonists in a film of this nature. Now, the climax of the film is a bit disappointing; it wraps up because it HAS to, not because there's a great bookend to the story preceding it. Still, if you want to see a truly frightening movie this weekend, I absolutely recommend this one.
Tom is a normal man: works a normal job, married to a pregnant wife, & already has a young son. One night, at a neighborhood party, Tom allows himself to get hypnotized by Lisa (oddball, Illeana Douglas), & he falls into a deep trance. While in his mind, Lisa suggests that he keep his mind 'open'; this is known as a post-hypnotic suggestion. Unfortunately for Tom, this wields disastrous results. Tom begins experiencing paranormalities; including seeing the ghost of a teenage girl (Jenny Morrison) whose been missing for some time. Not only that, he's also witnessing some disturbing, warped images of an act of grisly violence.
Tom's son (Zachary David Cope) is also a 'receiver'; someone who's more open than others to feeling/seeing/talking to spirits. Angry & confused, Tom's wife, Maggie (Kathryn Erbe), struggles to maintain normalcy as her son & husband appear to be 'losing it'. She believes them, but feels distant from them emotionally. Before long, Tom becomes obsessed with contacting the girl ghost & understanding what it is she's trying to tell him. He loses his job. He neglects his friends. And people start suspecting TOM as the one responsible for the missing teenager. Who is she? Where is her body? Who killed her? How … and why?
'Stir of Echoes' lends some startling imagery. The use of tight close-ups is employed several times (I shunned away in fear). There are some distorted shots interspersed throughout the story (this is both disorientating & unsettling). There are a few moments when the screen goes red and an alarm sounds off. There's a special effect employed where a person walks slowly, but a camera technique speeds them up; making them look otherworldly. There's a horrifying image involving a fingernail. There's a terrifying shot of someone struggling to breathe with a bag over their head. And the most effective sequence of the movie occurs with that initial hypnotization. Illeana Douglas' voice, what she's saying, what we're seeing, the disquiet of it all ... very haunting & very memorable.
The other main reason why the film works is because the characters are all normal people. Tom & Maggie are hardworking people with little money; and the same marital highs & lows. He's beside himself that these things are happening to him. She desperately wants to support him, but is unable to understand the supernatural forces at play. Kevin Bacon & Kathryn Erbe convey their characters extremely well. They're simply more developed than the usual protagonists in a film of this nature. Now, the climax of the film is a bit disappointing; it wraps up because it HAS to, not because there's a great bookend to the story preceding it. Still, if you want to see a truly frightening movie this weekend, I absolutely recommend this one.