Huh! Just when I'd figured out how to see who'd been kind enough to rate my reviews, ciao's managed ...
Huh! Just when I'd figured out how to see who'd been kind enough to rate my reviews, ciao's managed to make my new reviews say 'this review has not yet been rated'!!! SORT IT OUT CIAO!
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Sitting here with a spare couple of hours, well having run out of other ways to procrastinate and still having no motivation for my essay (as is happening now...), I raided my DVD collection. I noticed a DVD called Presence of Mind which I remembered buying, but haven't watched in ages, so I decided to remedy the situation.
Presence of Mind is based on the Henry James novel Turn of the Screw, one of my favourite ghost stories.
**History**
This adaptation was released in England in 1999. I was surprised to find that this film is Spanish, it's acted in English and has British actors, but the production companies (Enrique Cerezo Producciones Cinematograficas, Television Espanola, Canal + Espana) are Spanish. The producer, and writer of the screen play, was Antoni Aloy. The film was released in Spain as El Celo, in 2001.
**Plot**
Sadie Frost stars as the woman who is forced to take a position as governess on the death of her father. Her students are two orphans, a boy and a girl (Miles and Flora), who have been living with their uncle since the death of their parents. Their old governess, Miss Jessop, took
ill and died, meaning that the post on a remote island is free. The new Governess is given complete responsibility, she is told at her initial interview that no matter what happens she is not to bother the children's uncle.
Miles is expelled from school, but won't tell his governess why. She struggles to comprehend how the sweet, charming child she knows could have done anything so wrong as to be kicked out of school. Flora is sweet, a nice but very sad child, and occasionally is heard having conversations with no-one.
As time goes by, the Governess begins to see another side to both children. She hears of a mean streak to Miles, and Flora's acceptance of this is chilling. They seem to do some strange things, and to flip between unconditional love and a deep seated hatred for her. It starts to be less of a surprise to her that Miles could have been expelled, and when he confides the reason to her she seems almost cruel in her acceptance.
As the film progresses, the Governess begins to see the children speaking to and playing with people she doesn't know. The problem is that she knows everyone on the island, and so there can't be strangers around. Both children had been very close to Miss Jessop, their old governess, and the new Governess lives a little under her shadow, gradually becoming convinced that she is actually competing with her ghost. Are the children manipulating her, or is it something else?
That's as much as I'm going to say on the story. I don't doubt that most people will have seen an adaptation, or read the book, or simply know the general story, but I don't want to ruin it for those who don't know.
**My thoughts and Opinions**
The costumes in this film are lovely, it's set in the 19th century and I think that the staging has been done well. I read the Turn of the Screw a long time ago and have seen many different adaptations, but this is one of my favourites, in part because of how well it's staged.
I find the actual story chilling, I can imagine it happening in real life, and this isn't true of many ghost stories. I can't remember from the book whether you find out the name of the Governess, but in this adaptation you don't – this puts me in mind of Rebecca, Presence of Mind isn't on the same level, but it's got elements of Hitchcock's style. One way that Hitchcock is echoed is through the very effective use of sound and silence, I always find silence and relevant sounds without constant atmospheric music to be eerie, and this film makes full use of both.
The acting in this is very good, especially that of Nilo Mur, the boy who plays Miles. The actor manages to make the character go from a normal school boy with typical enjoyments and fears, to a really spine-tingly charmer who seems cruel and predatory. He can do this within the space of a couple of words, or even just changing a look.
I really enjoy this film, even though I've seen it a few times and know the ending, I still find it creepy. I prefer watching this with the lights off, and ideally company – it's one of those 'wow' sorts of climaxes which are better if you can discuss them.
**DVD**
My DVD cost me just £2, but it was almost 3 years ago, and I can't remember where I got it from (I only know the price because I never took the sticker off). It's available from play.com for £5.98, used from Amazon for £2.74; I clearly got a bargain.
The certificate on this film is a 15. This is about right, for me. There's no strong language, nor is there any sexual content, but there is an aspect of violence, and the film is really quite psychologically thrilling which could be too much for younger viewers, I don't think I'd have liked it as a young teen, and I was quite unshockable.
My DVD has no extras.
**Recommendations**
This film is a great psychological thriller. I'd recommend it to any Hitchcock fans, and anyone who likes Henry James.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
My mrs has conversations at times to no one, although she could be talking to me when the football's on and I am cocking a deaf un !! Well reviewed and thanks for not putting any spoilers in as it isn't a film or book I am aware of.
Advantages: Thrills, Big Monsters, Through hand held camera, looks more practical though a fiction Disadvantages: Disturbing images , not suitable for children
pallavi_171 27.01.2008 (27.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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![Presence Of Mind [1999] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/76771709.jpg "Presence Of Mind [1999] [DVD]")
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