THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Are you tired of lunatic slasher movies passing as horror films? Do ghosts who return from the grave with noble intentions cause you to groan? If so, you’re going to love THE WOMAN IN BLACK. It’s a horror film in the mien of old horror films; and why not, it comes to the Silver Screen from Hammer Films, the granddaddy of horror film studios. If horror films hadn’t become so distorted, THE WOMAN IN BLACK may have been considered a mundane offering. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, it pulls the horror genre back on the right track.
The storyline is simple enough: A young attorney, Arthur Kirps, played by Daniel Radcliffe, is sent to a remote village, specifically to Marsh House, to close the affairs of a deceased woman. He arrives in town only to discover it is haunted by a woman the village spurned. He has inadvertently placed his family in danger and must face the supernatural forces to save them. His only friend in the village is Mr. Daily, played by Ciaran Hinds.
Radcliffe plays his part well, though the young actor is going to have a devil of a time shaking the Harry Potter stigma. Hinds, continues to accrue an impressive body of work and his doughy, forlorn face fits in nicely with horror film characters.
Cinematographer Tim Maurice-Jones(a hyphenated name, demonstrating confused parents), utilizes fogging techniques to render THE WOMAN IN BLACK a somber aura, while Marco Beltrami compliments the looks with an eerie score. The rest of the technical aspects, including the make-up special effects by Paul Hyett, are somewhat humdrum.
Jane Goldmanadapted the screenplay from Susan Hill’s novel. It’s a fine interpretation; however the scare techniques incorporated are commonplace for the genre and are used too frequently, lessening their effectiveness. Part of the blame belongs to Editor Jon Harris. Several sequences could easily be on the editing room floor without destroying the film’s effect. In one series of sequences, Radcliffe runs up and down a staircase so many times it evokes memories of the Keystone Cops.
Nevertheless, THE WOMAN IN BLACK offers true horror - no noble spirits, no help from beyond, no deprived, cannibalistic axe murderers from West Virginia - just good old fashioned nasty ghosts. The movie clearly demonstrates Hammer Films still has it over other studios when it comes to presenting true horror movies. THE WOMAN IN BLACK is a decent film, it offers hope for the horror genre, and should provide an entertaining night out, especially when she jumps into your arms.
THE RATING FOR THE WOMAN IN BLACK = B
-30-
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