Film Reviews

The Awakening

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Dominic West
• Details: UK/106mins 15A

Smart and well made, but lacking atmosphere, The Awakening is a proficient thriller that borrows liberally from its genre cousins. It's difficult making a haunted house movie interesting; but first time writer/director Murphy's spot-on casting certainly helps. Rebecca Hall is an engulfing presence on screen. While this is far from her best work she proves that she can tackle the strong-minded characters as well as the vulnerable ones.
Hall is writer and cynical paranormal investigator Florence in 1920s London; having recently lost the love of her life to the first Word War, she becomes obsessed with the afterlife, and exposing the frauds that perpetuate its existence. When Dominic West's former solider turned boarding school teacher arrives at her door, asking her to help his troubled school, she reluctantly agrees. Once there, Imelda Staunton's matron fills her in on the ghostly happenings, while Florence suspects it's merely the students causing the ruckus. But the house has a history...
Eschewing the foreboding atmospherics from early on, and instead concentrating on the setting up of the characters; aesthetically, the resulting film feels far more suited to television. Despite a gorgeous setting, and a solid grasp on the dynamics of the genre, Murphy's film never really delivers the scares it could have. It moves briskly, takes in the story it needs to and works well for the most part - but just never really clicks in terms of chills.
Staunton, as ever, is a memorable presence. There's something about her stillness that is utterly terrifying, and is at odds with what her character appears to be. The Victorian setting and her styling certainly evokes ethereal images and it's another impressive performance. West has less to do other than play off of Hall, but he does so well. Hall is really a marvellous actress, and is never less than watchable here. She deserves more mainstream
Fine, but just fine. The Awakening is well acted, decently made and generally well written. It just lacks ambience.

Review by Mike Sheridan