The Others
Atmospheric spooker that relies on acting, lighting, music, and sound instead of CGI to provide a most satisfactory two hours of chills.
Kidman delivers her second solid performance of the year as the brittle, devout, brave British mom always a step or two away from hysteria as she fights to discover who is threatening the security of her family and the possession of her isolated mansion. The servants leave in the middle of the night, the children speak casually of ghosts and visitors, the house rocks and creaks most alarmingly. The new servants, particularly Mrs. Mills, lend a comforting weight of sanity to the household--or do they?
There isn't much original in the story, but part of the charm in a haunted house tale is the manner of telling, and director/writer Alejandro Amenabar, in his first English film, nails all the essentials. The two kids are excellent, and the great Fionnula Flanagan (renowned among Trekkies everywhere as Data's Mom) gets the best role of her film career as the sturdy, sensible housekeeper with ambiguous motives.
It's almost out of the theaters now, but it should play well on DVD. Perfectly suitable for teens.
