Review

Florence Cathcart is a debunker of ghosts, spiritualists, and pretty much anything to do with the supernatural. She has penned a book, "Seeing Through Ghosts", which a lot of people keep on their bookshelves right next to the bible. It's 1921 England and the Country's population has been decimated by World War I and an influenza outbreak in 1915, as Florence herself says this is a time for ghosts. Robert Mallory, a master at the remote Cumbrian prep school Rookford, calls on Florence asking her help to dispel rumours of a ghostly former student who has apparently caused the death of a student; the apparition has been seen by a number of the boys. Initially Florence refuses, which seems strange, but does eventually agree to take the job.

As Florence begins to investigate the disturbances she discovers a group of boys playing pranks and a teacher who is directly involved in the death of the student. But not everything can be explained and with midterm clearing the school with only the Matron, Mallory, a student named Tom, and Florence in residence at Rookford some disturbing paranormal activity that cannot be explained brings the normally cynical Florence full circle. She is about to discover the truth of Rookford, and that might just kill her. Who or what is haunting the school and why?

I've said it a few times, no one makes period ghost stories quite like the Brits with The Awakening calling to mind movies like Lady In Black in executing well constructed period atmospheres. However even though the sumptuous camera work was a pleasure to view and the acting was of a high standard, the actual plot and vision had a tired seen it before feeling. There's just nothing new with this movie, we have seen it all before including the special effects and CGI work. Even the major twist coming at us, like all good ghost stories The Awakening has one, has been beaten to death by Directors like M. Night Shyamalan and Alejandro Amenábar. It's like going out on your first date, with your cousin, kind of disappointing and awkward.

After an initial flourish, Florence shows a spiritualist séance to be a fake - surprisingly to the rancour of a couple of believers, we're off to Rookford aboard the Hogwarts Express. From there its lonely moors, a brooding old pile, and a lot of things happening after lights out. About what you would expect from this type of movie. Florence has the 1920s version of the Ghostbusters gear to ensure there will be lots of evidence of ghostly happenings and paranormal events. I was definitely reminded of The Others with the same approach of having darkened rooms and things happening in almost jump scare fashion, though in Director Nick Murphy's favour there are at least attempts being made at building a chilling atmosphere and raising some tension. The problem being with this that we are expecting something to happen in each of the night time scenes, and are thus not shocked or surprised when the haunting goes down.

Solid enough movie but with a few too many recycled scenes

The Awakening is best viewed as a sort of hybrid ghost story that doesn't immediately fit into expectations about how it should operate. Firstly the movie operates as a character drama, there's some complexity introduced here and you are going to have to pick up on some audio clues as to what is happening and what it means. For example the final scene that a lot of people are picking as ambiguous, you need to listen to Florence in particular. There's also the whole how war affects people and damages them thing flotating around. On a second level the movie works as a mystery as our ghost busting dame slowly unravels the secret of Rookford to her cost as it happens. And finally only on a third level does it work as a haunted house fable. As stated previously the paranormal aspects have a tarnished seen it before feel, so this is probably the weakest aspect of the movie.

The cinematography in The Awakening is outstanding, bringing in the historic nature of the school, the isolation of the location, and the almost brooding darkness permutating the abandoned rooms the main location seems to have at a disproportionate level. I don't normally mention the Cinematographic Director but simply have to state for the record that Eduard Grau brings clear vision to the movie and doesn't let Director Nick Murphy down with any scene. If I had to find fault it would be with perhaps a few too many overhead shots that don't add much to proceedings.

Outstanding work from the cast which although few in number really nail things and had me rocking out as the movie progressed. Even the Extras, and we're talking quite a few young teenagers here do their part to make the movie work. Full marks to everyone in front of the camera, no weak link here anywhere.

Gorehounds are going to be sadly disappointed with The Awakening, besides one scene of attempted rape there's nothing going down. Period haunting outings tend to avoid T&A at the best of times, and this movie throws on a quick boob shot, blink and you'll miss it, for no apparent reason but isn't pandering to anyone. So low on the violence and sex, safe for young folk you might want to enjoy the movie with.

There are a couple of nice aspects to the movie that helped raise things from the seen it before street corner. A cigarette case is worth looking out for, a shock scene involved there, and the best use of a dolls house since, well, since forever. Used to excellent effect by Nick Murphy to throw in an excellent false scare and to underline some plot points.

Naturally since this one was a ghost story I was hanging out to catch a viewing, sucker for the sub genre and will invariable catch any movie using the premise. I was slightly disappointed with The Awakening as there was very little originality to the movie, but still sat through to the closing credits as the mystery unfolded and a twist come at me. Recommended to folk who haven't seen a lot of haunted house outings, otherwise nothing new to be seen. Must admit the movie didn't awaken in me any need to see a sequel.