Description
A woman brings her family back to her childhood home, which used to be an orphanage, intent on reopening it. Before long, her son starts to communicate with a new invisible friend.
My rating
3.74
MyShows(278)
| Released: | 20 May 2007 |
| Country of origin: | Spain |
| Genre: | Horror/Supernatural, Drama, Thriller |
| Production companies: | Telecinco Cinema, Rodar y Rodar |
| Watched by: | 761 of 866 301 |
| Runtime: | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| IMDB rating: | 7.4 of 10 163 633 |
Watch 7
Trailers 1
El Orfanato (The Orphanage) (Juan Antonio Bayona, España, 2007) - Official Trailer HD
If we talk about the acting, then we can mention Belen Rueda (Laura), who coped with her role perfectly. The supporting actors exist in the film quite organically, but they do not stand out much, with the exception of Montserrat Carulla (Benigna), whose heroine looks frightening in herself. I was also pleased with the appearance of Geraldine Chaplin in the role of a medium.
The film itself is not boring, except for a couple of moments (for example, the revelation of Laura in bed), I would call them "extra moments", which, in my opinion, are not needed. I really liked the opening credits, which perfectly tune the viewer to the right wave. But, speaking in general, to maintain the atmosphere, the director often uses quite stamped moves.
Speaking of the main topic, it is worth drawing a parallel with the film "Others". Although both of these films reveal, in fact, the same idea, each does it in its own way and from a different angle. But at the same time, if after watching and the amazing end of "Others" I asked myself some philosophical questions, then after watching "Shelter" I asked myself only plot ones. In my opinion, the screenwriters did not bring all the lines together by the end of the film, there were some questions that have no answer. Yes, the main line of the narrative was completed correctly, but the secondary lines gradually disappeared and were not completed. Also, the whole story shown in the film is perceived more as a given, the end does not cause any strong emotions, you just understand in your head that you empathize with the situation, but inside you absolutely do not feel it.
As a result, I would not call the film "Shelter" empty or unsuccessful, I would call it a good film that you can watch in the evening, but no more.