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(1999)
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(1999) |
A young governess takes over the care of two children in Bly House, a secluded English mansion, only to discover that they may be troubled by the ghosts of their former caretakers.
Director: Ben Bolt
Writer: Nick Dear, Henry James (novel)
Starring: Jodhi May, Pam Ferris
Subgenres: haunting, possession
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Although this version of Henry James's classic novel comes the closest of any attempt I've seen to capturing the quality of the amazing The Innocents, this Turn takes a different tack. Instead of emphasizing the ghostly aspects of the story (though there are a few nicely staged sequences), this film puts its emphasis on the drama--on the characters and their interaction. By focusing on the characters, the figurative rot that extends from both priviledge and envy--a major theme of the original work--comes through unimpeded. The unforced pace of the movie helps it a great deal, and neither does the performance of Jodhi May in the lead; she has a complexity and realism that the role deserves but does not always receive. (Jul 3, 2001) | ||||||
Henry James' novel The Turn of the Screw has been put to film at least ten times.
