The Bloodhound

If you've been exposed to the original Gothic text by Poe, then this film will make more sense than if you haven't. And while this isn't exactly 'The Fall of the House of Usher', it is mimetic in tone and spirit. The film has all the Gothic elements which give it a sense of the uncanny.

The actors are good at maintaining a sense of uneasiness, the script is sparse and the direction is very good-the director obviously understands the source material. Notably, the house itself is an Uber-stylish panopticon which compliments the atmosphere perfectly. One niggle, here, though, is that the house isn't quite as strong a character as perhaps it could have been. But, saying that, this was probably a deliberate directorial decision-given that the director is well versed with the source material. However, it is the music and sound design that keeps the tension high throughout. Both have the effect of being unsettling without being over the top.

If you like Poe, or you love the Gothic-style, then this is a good film-and it certainly doesn't outstay its welcome at under 2 hours.

Beautifully shot, very well cast and acted. It's a strange film that won't be for everyone (e.g. Those who need everything to be explained to them and to make sense), but I loved it.

At the invitation of a wealthy childhood friend to come stay at his remote home, a poor photographer arrives to find some unexpected residents.

A study in the generational decay of a family, and so peculiar that it seems integrated purely through mood and location. The two friends are mutually genial at first, but a crack opens up, to the point of rupture. A twin sister appears to the guest in dreams, her only remains apparent in her dressing-table items and a bedside bowl of vomit. And lurking in a closet is a hooded man, originating from a creek-bed, who scrabbles across the floor during the night.

The location is a brown, straight-angled house, with steel-barred staircases that slash across the cinematographer's frames. Below is a sepulchral vault, which comes in to play as the lighting of the house glows red with the approaching climax. The score uses tinkling piano, wind-chimes and clicky-sticks.

The dynamic between the friends is of the host staging a betrayal by the guest, as if to confirm his hypothesis of the loneliness of existence; that between the twins, of doomed dependency. The role of the hooded man is creepy and plain mysterious. In the end, there's a sense of a curse being handed down. The performances are excellent.

It's an engaging watch, but no matter what angle I took, it didn't intrigue me because I couldn't get beneath the mood of solemn resignation. It seems to be an adaptation of the famous Poe story, but even that knowledge didn't free up any insight.

Overall: Awaiting instruction.

The story is a bit slow but it works in the long run. The acting is excellent and the weird house creates a very spooky atmosphere. Did I understand all of it? No, but I still enjoyed it.

And, a strange movie it is. But, really well done. If you liked Eraserhead you will like this movie. The plot is fairly simple -- "Old friend" wasn't really that much of a friend. No, this movie is all about the mood. The melancholy. I would watch it again in a minute just to see the absolutely perfect Mid-Century Modern house and furnishings. Whoever did the set totally nailed it. Top-to-bottom, accurate Mid-Century Modern.

Is it slow? Yes. Does everything make sense? No. But I don't think that was the point of this movie. If you need a tight little average story with an A-Z typical plot, this is not the film for you. If you like a film that conveys ambiance and disturbing, vague suggestions of a back-story, then you'll probably like it.