The newest residents of an affluent rural town are a poet and his thirteen year-old daughter, but the poet seems strangely absent, and odd things keep happening around the intelligent and independent girl . . .
Subgenres: psychological, children/childhood
Director: Nicolas Gessner
Starring: Jodie Foster, Martin Sheen
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This isn't a horror film in the conventional sense of the term; it is, rather, an interesting and at times chilling story of independence, ingenuity, shifting relationships, and a death or two. That sounds belittling, but it wasn't meant to be--The Girl Who Lives Down the Lane us an intelligent and mildly atmospheric psychodrama and a more than serviceable warning to never presume to understand something we do not know. The Girl Who Lives Down the Lane is a rarity in that it relies entirely on a child actress to not only give the film its shape but propel it along. Rarely has a picture relied so heavily on someone so young (even The Sixth Sense had a good performance from Bruce Willis). Foster is absolutely amazing in her role--she projects a perfect balance of childish hopes and absolutely mature realism. Enjoyable, intelligent, and highly recommended. (Jan 20, 2000) | ||||||
Based on the book of the same title by Laird Koenig, who also wrote the script, with Richard Lochte.
