THE ECLIPSE
(R)
MOVIE: ** (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: ** (out of 5)
Studio: Magnolia
BY KEVIN CARR
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Conor McPherson directs this unconventional Irish ghost story about Michael Farr (Ciaran Hinds) who is trying to raise his kids after his wife died. After hearing strange noises in his house, he finds himself crossing paths with Lena Morelle (Iben Hjejle), a writer of the paranormal, whom he meets at a literary festival. Michael confides in Lena, and she tries to help him come to terms with the situation, but their relationship is challenged by a smarmy American writer (Aidan Quinn) whose jealousy for Lena becomes dangerous.
WHAT I LIKED
Let me start by saying that I respect what was attempted with “The Eclipse.” It reminds me of another ghost story I saw recently called “100 Feet,” in which the characters took a different path around the traditional haunting. “The Eclipse” takes a different approach, going as far to make the supernatural element of the story somewhat mundane in comparison to the human drama.
The cinematography is crisp and looks great in the film, and the performances are subdued but very well acted. Hinds elicits a high degree of sympathy, and Quinn plays the bad guy incredibly well.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
While I do respect the unconventional approach to this ghost story, I wasn’t a huge fan of that. Too often, the supernatural element is suppressed for a relationship drama. Every time there is an eerie moment, and I start to get interested in the internal conflict of Michael, we are brought back to the love triangle, which wasn’t the most interesting focus for me.
Still, when the ghost story moments are in the forefront, the film does manage a strong and creepy sense of foreboding. I just wished that would have been the focus from beginning to end.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray comes with a “Making of The Eclipse” featuertte as well as a spot from HDNet: “A Look at The Eclipse.”
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Someone looking for a different take on the traditional ghost story.