Tuesday Night is Film Night takes another genre twist this week and probably for the first time, we settle down to enjoy (?) a horror movie. Will we be shaking all over, as we look upon;
The Woman in Black
Of course the initial draw towards The Woman in Black for us, was the starring role for Daniel Radcliffe, being as we are a house of Harry Potter fans, but the character that Radcliffe plays; Arthur Kipps is a far cry from Harry Potter.
Kipps is a young lawyer, who is sent to a remote coastal village, to uncover the paperwork of a deceased woman, who lived at the foreboding Eel Marsh house. However, his efforts are thwarted by the appearance of the ghost of a scorned woman, dressed in black. And it seems like every time she appears, another child dies, in a strange and horrible way.
Adapted from the Susan Hill novel, the screenplay by Jane Goldman is superb. Although the story is excellent, it is all about the suspense, the great camera work, the special effects and the soundtrack. There are many things within the film, that will make you want to scream out loud or will send shivers coursing down your spine. Especially the collection of Victorian toys and creepy dolls with eyes that follow you.
A lot of the suspense and horror, if you like, comes from the subliminal camera shots. Yes, there are lots of full on scary moments, that fill the screen, and your ears with screeching violin strings, but it is the fairly silent moments, when you, the viewer and Arthur Kipps, need to take a double-take, was that really a face at the window? Was that a figure standing in the distance?
So, good story, great camera work and superb acting. Daniel Radcliffe handles the role of Kipps with aplomb. Other actors of note were Ciarán Hinds as Sam Daily, the only character to actually befriend Kipps. Also, Kipps has a four year old son, who is cared for by their nanny, as Kipps' wife had died. The nanny is played by the delightful Jessica Raine, who is probably better known as nurse Jenny Lee in the TV series, Call The Midwife.
Sam Daily's wife in the film is also very well played by Janet McTeer, a fine character actress, who has appeared in her fair share of period dramas.
All in all, The Woman in Black is a fine return to the big screen for Hammer Films. It certainly does the genre proud and will leave you cold and afraid to look out of any windows for awhile.
We rate it as an 8 out of 10. Now to go to bed with the light on!
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