I enjoyed Gothika, I realize that it may not be the best movie ever made, but it is well executed, has an interesting premise and is powerfully acted. I think that the only problem may be that it is not very well paced.
The story: Dr Miranda Grey is a much respected psychologist, who is at the height of her career and happily married to the boss. She is working with many patients, but her most disturbed is Chloe Sava, who seems convinced that the devil is coming into her cell and raping her, the staff instantly dismiss her as mad, but is there more to her wild, accusations, than first thought? One dark, miserable night Miranda does a huge amount of laps of her works pool, put on her clothes as usual and gets into her car, to drive home. This is when things start to get weird. On her usual route to her house, a road id blocked off, and she nearly runs over a little girl. When she gets out of her car, the girl is standing in the
road, blood soaked and shivering. The girl doesn’t talk, only she breaths out mass amounts off fire. The screen goes black and the camera see’s Miranda in her own cell…………..
She has been accused of killing her husband, and a strange force seems to be trying to communicate with her, but why and did she really commit this dreadful crime?
Acting I don’t care what you say; this movie is beautifully acted especially from the leading lady.
• I love Halle Berry, and I think that she played this character with such heart and emotion, that the movie could have been anything and still except able. She is absolutely brilliant. She is given a hard role, which many actresses would have just played straight, but not our Halle, she kicks screams, runs and doges, her way through this project. With such power and true emotional integrotery. That you cant help but fall in love with her. I think that this performance is better than her one in Monster Ball (which was fantastic and she won an Oscar for) I truly believe that she is one of the best actress’s of our time. You Go Halle!
• Robert Downing Jnr, I am not really a fan of his, but I respect talent, and he does have it. He is fairly good, even if a little dull, as Miranda’s friend who wants to be more than that. He isn’t given much to do as the filmmakers maybe only gave Halle the lime light. But he is convincing and adds to the feel of the movie.
• Penelope Cruiz is brilliant as the, slightly sexually confused and maybe mad patient. At the beginning, when she is explaining her harrowing details of being raped by the devil, I was completely absorbed, convinced and interested. I don’t usually like her again but she managed to grab my attention. Now am slightly more convinced.
Other cast members: Bernard Hill, John Carroll Lynch Dorian Harewood, Bronwen Mantle, Kathleen Mackey and Andrea Shelton.
Script I enjoyed this script and I actually think that it work on more levels than expected. I know what all the people mean, when they talk about it being unintelligent and everything, but it’s not, not really. It seems that way at first, but after you realize that it’s a much more for filling experience than you thought. The script works on many levels, as it takes a lot of care that the symbolism and atmosphere is right. Things like the very dark, moody colours. The often hits of thunder. The brilliant comebacks that Halle thinks of, and a sting in the tale at the end.
Pros of Script (Don’t know if this is a good thing to do, but am trying something new!)
• The end is a definite shock, if you guessed it, then you are a better man than me, because I had my mouth open very wide.
• Keeps throwing the audience of the scent, with scenes that seem to have no relevance to the story, and then when the end happens you realize and kick yourself that you didn’t think of it before.
• Very Symbolic
• Holds viewers attention
• Allows the actors to do their job brilliantly.
Cons of script
• Not Shakespeare, fairly corny and cheesy
Style: Gothika is a very stylish movie. Supremely stylish actually, is very easy on the eye. I like the slick production design, the atmosphere, and the interesting symbolism, with keeping continuous themes, throughout the whole film.
Overall: A chilling, stylish and powerfully acted romp, with all the shock factor and added cheesiness needed!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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I liked this the first time I saw it, but after repeat viewing, I have lost interest
beahawk 03.12.2004 11:44
Very good review, I have been meaning to catch this film for ages and found your review very helpful.
berlioz 27.11.2004 13:37
A well written review. Not many newcomers tend to write this well, that usually follows later on (I'm speaking of personal experience). As a sidestep, the spelling of "definite" made me really worry "how do I write it?" So went over some of my other reviews and found that I do write it correctly "definite". Feels pretty good, since my mother's tongue isn't English anyway. Be seeing you... Berli
The title ofGothikaprepares you for a spooky, atmospheric thriller with an emphasis on ... more
supernatural mystery. The best way to appreciate the movie itself is to understand that it's a waking nightmare that needn't make sense in the realm of sanity. Makin...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The title ofGothikaprepares you for a spooky, atmospheric thriller with an emphasis on ... more
supernatural mystery. The best way to appreciate the movie itself is to understand that it's a waking nightmare that needn't make sense in the realm of sanity. Makin...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
A brilliant and respected criminal psychologist, Dr. Miranda Grey (Halle Berry) is an ... more
expert at knowing what is rational. What is logical. What is sane.But Miranda's comfortable and stable life are thrust into terrifying jeopardy after a cryptic encoun...
Advantages: easy to watch with very little thinking involved, talented cast Disadvantages: complete rubbish, not scary, themes pieced together from other films
littlem 09.04.2004 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Gothika (DVD)
![Gothika [DVD] [2004]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78509296.jpg "Gothika [DVD] [2004]")
Nov 24th, 2004
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