Friday, November 6, 2015

CRIMSON PEAK  2.9***

   First, 'Crimson Peak' is not a horror film; it is a 'gothic romance' with some mild horror thrown in.  The genre hasn't been visited upon for decades, yet Director Del Toro does a fine job of offering his own take on it.  Despite some narrative problems, 'Crimson Peak' is a grand visual experience that needs to be seen on the big screen if at all. Del Toro's immense talent for creating wondrous images for the screen has not faltered one bit, and he truly has come up with an original concept that we haven't seen in a  long time. And although I didn't completely fall in love with this film, I will say I enjoyed it for those unique visuals which are so glorious, they are almost overwhelming. The sets are spectacular visions of beauty and decadence; the costumes are intricately detailed and gorgeous; and the lighting and  saturated color bring depth and meaning;  

The tale takes place first in America in the late 19th century. A family tragedy occurs near the beginning of the film starting the horror for Edith (Mia Wasikowska) while also driving her into the comforting arms of Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), who she falls in love with and marries. . Edith travels to rural England with Sir Thomas and his sister, Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain), to live in his  giant creepy  mansion which is in great disrepair, even with a huge  hole in the massive roof …but still it would have suited Vincent Price and Edgar Allan Poe quite well. After her arrival, things take a turn for the worse. Edith begins hearing and seeing strange noises and frightening apparitions that seem to be after her, or at least trying to tell her something.  

As for the horror side, I felt the ghosts/apparitions weren't striking or distinctive enough to achieve the haunting effect they deserve. Director Del Toro went to incredible lengths  to craft the house and other visuals,  yet he did not fully utilize his fantastical  design talents on these tormented creatures. I also felt the pacing dragged along in certain sequences and some scenes did appear repetitive at times.

The trio of leading stars are fine.. Wasikowska delivers a familiar turn as the frail victim and Hiddleston's charm is on show in droves but it is Chastain whose dark cynicism casts a shadow over any sign of happiness in this tale. There's something unnerving every time she appears on screen that only adds to the drama unfolding between the web of on screen relationships.

Rated R for bloody violence, some sexual content and brief strong language 

Clark



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