The Others (2001)

The Duet of Cruise and Kidman

Stars   :  Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan

Score  :  7.0 / 10

 

Grace (Nicole Kidman), lives in a big house with her children, Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley). Her husband, Charles Stewart (Christopher Eccleston) is a soldier at war and never come home. No one knows for sure, if he is still alive or dead. As a mother and head of the family, Grace set everything in the house firmly and discipline. Grace always strives to give the best for her children, because they suffer a rare skin disease. Their skin is very sensitive to sunlight. Grace always worries about her children excessively. Grace brings all the key rooms wherever she goes. 

She asks every people in the house to lock the doors that have been passed, before opening another door. All rooms are equipped with curtains to protect Anne and Nicholas. If they want to go into a room, all the curtains in the room must be closed. At night, they never turn the lights on and use candles and oil lamps. Anne and Nicholas never leave their home, including going to school. Grace guides them to learn at home.    

Grace with her children, Anne and Nicholas

At present, Grace desperately needs a maid. Mostly, the maid who worked for her, leave the house without a reason. One day, Grace was visited by three people who apply for work as a maid. They are Bertha (Fionnula Flanagan), Edmund Tuttle (Eric Sykes) and a dumb girl, Lydia (Elaine Cassidy). Grace received them, explaining their duties, including about the children disease. Grace gives all the room keys to Bertha and tries to trust her.

Grace received Tuttle, Lydia and Bertha in her house

At first, the situation in the house was quiet and good, until Anne confessed to Nicholas that he had seen a ghost boy, Victor, at their home. Grace does not believe all the words of Anne. Grace also forbids Anne to scare Nicholas. But apparently, she had to believe after heard strange noises in the house. Grace became panic and almost be insane to protect her children. Grace also finds strange things in the house.

The Granny Ghost

A hand touched Grace

In the meantime, Bertha and Tuttle, was upset to Grace who does not believe in ghosts. They are trying to make Grace believes in the existence of ghosts. They utilize existing tombstone near the house.

The Others take the setting during World War II is almost over, which is about the 1940s. So, the first impression after seeing this movie is like watching a horror classic movie. The classic atmosphere also supported by the film location in a quiet area and foggy. The type and arrangement of furniture in the house was also successfully brings the feel of an old movie. Make up and costumes of the players are also made according to the setting of the film. Just look at Nicole hairdo, short hair, slightly wavy at the edges and the old-fashioned shoe worn by Nicole.

The story of The Others, is still a common story, about a haunted house. But, this movie has two features. The first one, there are parts of the story that makes this movie different than the other haunted house horror movie. Unfortunately, I cannot mention it, because it contains spoilers which can be reduced the enjoyment of watching this movie.

Secondly, this film featuring two Hollywood stars, Tom Cruise as executive producer and Nicole Kidman. When this film was made, they are still not divorced. Nicole looks very impressive. She performed very pretty, with a simple make-up, but still looks elegant. Even if she was in angry or frightened scene, Nicole still looks beautiful. Honestly, I only watched two movies of Nicole, the Moulin Rouge and The Others, so I can not give more comment. But, Nicole played her role very well in this film. I like Nicole in The Others more than in The Moulin Rouge. Alakina Mann and James Bentley also appeared adorable in this movie. They succeeded in build the chemistry as brother and sister.

Nicole Kidman as Grace

Unfortunately, this film also has a lack. The plot tends to be very slow. The earlier parts of the movie seem so boring. I got impatient and kept waiting for arising conflict, and of course including the scary figure that is characteristic of horror movies. But until the movie ended, I did not see the scary figure. It is very disappointed for me.