An American Haunting
Just got back from watching this at the screening. I've been
waiting for this for quite awhile since horror is my favourite
genre. Had real high hopes for this....dashed.
NO SPOILERS - Just character descriptions and roles. Forgive me if
its a tad long.
I suppose they show this now so we don't step on any joss-sticks on
the way home...
Review:
The Bell Witch is a legend based on true documents of the only case
in US History where an entity caused the death of a man and a
folklore that's still as strong today as it was back then. It's
been the subject of various paranormal researchers and historians,
some even swearing that they've seen the Bell Witch and her
apparitions till this day.
An American Haunting encompasses 2 generations of families;
although the Bell family in 1817 receives the most screen time than
the contemporary portrayal that sets up the legend of the Bell
Witch. With its predictable true story label slavishly tagged on to
give it some smidgen of credibility. The family in the future,
bookends the narration of the events that started the lore. Its a
tacky framing device that reeks of an anemic and frail script from
creative abjection.
It's unfortunate that such a truly incredible and chilling tale of
revenge, torture and evil has boiled down to what essentially is a
PG weekend fright-flick intended to bring in young cineplexers as
well as audiences willing to revel in a good ol' forgettable
boogeyman story. Dousing us with Tennessee period atmosphere and
commendable set designs, the heavy pretense bogs down its 2 most
veteran thespians' talents with a tarnishing waft of
self-importance.
Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland are John and Lucy Bell, in 1817
and proud parents of the marriageable Betsy Bell (Rachel Hurd-Wood)
and the John Jr. (Thom Fell). They are the foci of the narrative,
which constantly carries an air of portentous foreboding.
Supporting characters include Richard Powell (James D'Arcy), suitor
apparent to Betsy who solders onto the family as if he was already
married to her.
The inconsistent characterisation of Sutherland's John Bell is an
aching and sore point. To believe he was dishonest would be
difficult due to his obvious endearment towards his family. His
character goes through revolutions of character changes that's
awkward and contrived to fit a scattered and disorganised
screenplay that was trying to fit in as many documented 'accounts'
of the Bells as possible. To his credit, the mileage of the film's
many supernatural vivacities is bitterly shown on Sutherland's
final diminutive state. Spacek plays an impassive role, the
rangering the family as both her husband and daughter are slowly
and cruelly abused. Second fiddle to Sutherland, she plays it the
best she can with intense and covert glances of feeble
moroseness.
The chemistry between the Richard and Betsy, non-existent as it is,
still plays an important part in understanding the dynamics of
those trapped in the house with a vengeful spirit. He is her sole
comfort. Richard, who's also Betsy's teacher portrays an underlying
pride in his intellect and belief in science. It's the first time
his knowledge of the world has failed him, as he sees his
betrothed, be thrown about
like a rag doll as the spirit habitually targets and possesses her
nightly. She's burdened with the brunt of the spirit's unexplained
but undeniable fury.
There's a distinct lack of progress in the film. Running scare-gags
include, creaking floorboards, unnatural convulsions and physical
abuse by the 'affected' and now-you-see-it, now-you-don't visual
devices. It becomes obvious halfway through the film that the
director has no clue on how to sustain the tense moments that he
begins to stage, usually with the help of a loud sound. All in all,
its a sad attempt to imitate a similarly themed Exorcism of
Emily Rose, which actually had depth and a deft touch
beneath its well-worn exterior.
Although much is said about the theories bandied about the Bell
Witch's true intentions with the Bell family, no one has
conclusively stated who and why the entity haunted them. Most of
the theories are conjecture and flippant suppositions. And thats
An American Haunting's biggest flaw. It's final
reveal is so aggravating anticlimactic and flimsy, it's not going
to please or placate anyone who wanted something minutely plausible
that's analogous with an actual horror story. It's not something
that needed condescending social commentary.