 Remarkable Isabelle Fuhrman Drives This Tense Suspense Thriller! |
| Review Date: October 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Dana E. McIntyre, Oakland, CA - USA - |
I saw this film when it opened on July 24, 2009. Mixed reviews from fans and critics were the usual flair upon its release, but something struck me about this movie. The film went on to gross $37 million at the box-office despite the thrashing it took from critics, but everyone couldn't help but notice the Oscar-nomination worthy performance of its 12-year-old star Isabelle Fuhrman. I just viewed the film on DVD for the first time since its theaterical run and I'm still seeing just how riveting and engaging this movie really is.
"Orphan" is NOT a horror film. It's more along the lines of a SUSPENSE THRILLER. When I think of horror films, I think of sex-crazed teenagers being sliced up one-by-one by a machete-wielding maniac (Jason Voorhies, Freddy Krueger, Micheal Myers, etc.). The only real weapons wielded here is just a hammer, a knife, and a .38-caliber pistol. You think scary when it comes to horror films and "Orphan" isn't scary. Has some frightful moments, yes, but scary? Wishful thinking!
Set in the winter-bound parts of Conneticut & Canada, the story centers on the Coleman family: Kate (Vera Farmiga), a Yale University music teacher recovering from alcoholism and bouts of depression after having a stillborn from her third pregnancy; John (Peter Sarsgaard), an architech whose nice guy persona overshadows his increasing issues with Kate that led to past affairs; Max (Aryana Engineer), their deaf 5-year-old daughter who communicates through sign language and their oldest son Daniel (Jimmy Bennett), who feels bitterly neglected & increasingly isolated from his parents. As a way of coping with the loss of their would-be 2nd daughter, Jessica, and to amend their existence as a family, Kate & John make a fateful decision to adopt a young girl at the local orphanage.
It is here where they meet Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), a sweet-looking 9-year-old Russian girl harboring some deep-seeded issues of her own despite her angelic smile and sympathetic mannerisms. Upon arriving home with new stepdaughter in tow, a series of events unravel to make everyone question the background and sincerity of this little girl. Daniel dislikes her immediately, Max forms an unhealthy bond with her new stepsister, Kate begins to seek out further information about Esther's background, & John just plays Devil's Advocate with all that occurs involving Esther. What's wrong with Esther? Is it true that behind the smile of this little angel beats the heart of a psycho killer?
The answer, and the big secret about who she really is, lies within the confines of this 123-minute thriller. I agree with everyone here that it moves at a near-torturous snail's pace, that being the film's major fatal flaw. But the story itself is so entralling and engaging, you can't help but to excuse that misfire. Fuhrman's performance alone keeps you involved in the twists and turns entrenched here. Only a young, superbly talented actress like Fuhrman was able to pull off a psychological undertaking of switching from sympathetic manipulator to disturbed sadist and it's why I feel she should get an Oscar nod. But due to the overall dislike of the film itself from most critics and for her young age, she probably won't get anywhere near sniffing distance of the balloting.
Nonetheless, I was so inspired by this film and became such a fan that I created my own 20-song, hard-rock CD Mix (liner notes & all) of songs inspired by the movie (my own psuedo-soundtrack, if you will, but John Ottman's score was cool). Seemingly destined to go down as a cult favorite, if not a classic, "Orphan" was a solid & enjoyable thrill ride that's essentially "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle", "The Good Son", "The Crush", and a more mean-spirited version of "Problem Child" all rolled into one. That's why this movie isn't a horror despite being classified as one. This film has a depth, substance, and intuitiveness to it that Jason, Micheal, & Freddy couldn't touch with a bloddy axe. Just take sweet, little Esther home and let her hold you, thrill you, kiss you, .... kill you!!! Can someone out there please say "CULT CLASSIC"? - DEM - |
Surprisingly Good and Intense
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| Review Date: November 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: E. Hibbard, Seattle, WA USA |
When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I thought "Oh God, another one of those movies." But I was surprised that after I'd gone and seen it, I'd actually thoroughly enjoyed it.
Isabelle Fuhrman is the "orphan"; that is, 9-year-old Esther who seems a little strange and morbid despite the adopted parents instance attraction to her. When violent events began taking place that are connected to Esther, the parents began to suspect that there is more to the little girl than appears.
Fuhrman definitely was the right choice for the role of Esther; she has an attractive face and her youth doesn't strain her acting abilities which were very convincing. I won't lie though; the movie was very grisly, and even I had to turn away from the screen a few times. Even the twist ending really shocked me, and I'm not easily shocked. I really think that despite how it looks, give it a shot, because it wasn't a bad little movie. It was well acted, well thought out, and seriously creepy. |
Fun little creepfest
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| Review Date: November 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: DonMac, Lynn, MA United States |
| Enjoyable little bad seed thriller. Some good acting and really tense moments make this a winner. The twist ending - which if you are smart and pay attention you can probably figure out - is still great fun. Enjoy! |
Excellent thriller...loved it
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| Review Date: November 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mr. MDM, Alpharetta, GA |
This was my favorite movie of the summer of 2009, and I saw roughly 20 films. I am not a horror movie fan but something about this film intrigued me..."there's something wrong with Esther"...that made me get up and go see it in the theaters. I absolutely loved this film. I thought each of the actors played their role perfectly in this film, particularly our leading star whose name I cannot recall as I'm writing this. Vera Farmiga also does a particularly fine job and I wish she was in more leading roles, herself as I think she's quite talented. This particular DVD comes with footage of an alternate ending which I somewhat liked better than that shown in the final cut, along with some deleted scenes which I suppose are worth watching once.
I rate this film (and DVD) five stars and give it my highest recommendation as a horror film/thriller and more importantly, as a movie laden with memorable lines by Esther like "There...its in Heaven now..." or "Going somewhere Kate...?" Heh heh.
Enjoy! |
This one has a true "Hitchcock" feel
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| Review Date: December 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Thom Carey, Yonkers, NY United States |
| I actually had to look up Isabelle Fuhrman to make sure she is just a child actress. She was absolutely amazing in this role and deserves awards for this performance. The story itself is a usual horror/thriller with lots of nail-biting suspence and cold-hearted action. There's something about this film that draws me back to watch it over again. It's really not that good, but the performances are a saving grace. |
Saw this in theatre, love it!
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| Review Date: December 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Angela, |
| I got quite a deal on this newly released movie, at only $8.99. Thanks, Amazon!! I saw this movie w/ my husband and we loved it! Happy to add it to our collection at home! |
Strong Cast Shines In A Slow-Paced Thriller
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| Review Date: December 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: K. Fontenot, The Bayou State |
Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, and CCH Pounder give excellent performances, but it's the kiddies who steal the show in "Orphan."
Farmiga and Sarsgaard star as Kate and John Coleman, a successful and loving (or so it seems at first) couple with two children and the desire to adopt another when Kate's third child is stillborn. They believe that they've found the perfect child in Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), a nine-year-old Russian orphan who is sugary sweet, highly intelligent, and very artistic.
Once Esther arrives at the Coleman home, she is immediately met with resistance by the Coleman's son, Daniel (Jimmy Bennett), and takes their deaf daughter, Max (Aryana Engineer) under her protective wing. She is also teased at school for her dresses and the Bible she carries with her.
Slowly the viewer sees sweet Esther turn into a very dark and sinister little girl. Not only does she seek out revenge on those who pick at her, but she begins to manipulate Max and force her to help out with her dirty work.
Esther also opens old wounds from Kate and John's past and drives a wedge between them. Kate becomes suspicious of Esther and seeks out more information on her newly adopted daughter. The head mistress of the orphanage, Sister Abigail (CCH Pounder), tries to help Kate and becomes a target for Esther as well.
As Esther's dark past is revealed, her actions become more wicked and, in some cases, fatal. It is at this point that the film begins to rely on well-worn cliches that have been trod out in a number of other films about evil children, particularly "The Good Son" and "The Omen."
Naturally there is a twist thrown in near the film's climax in order to give a motive to Esther's madness, and while it is rather sickening, it's not that big of a surprise.
Overall, the film isn't that bad. However, clocking in at a very slow moving 120-plus minutes makes for a somewhat boring experience. I'm assuming that director Jaume Collet-Serra was trying to build suspense by drawing out the film, but it makes for a lackluster thriller in the end. Even the climactic battle near the end of the film is drawn out and rather unbelievable. It's almost as if the film is attempting to be a psychological thriller and a slasher flick at the same time.
Again, the film really isn't that bad, just too long and a bit boring at times. The children all shine in their roles, particularly little Aryana Engineer, whom I believe does an excellent job as Max. Her performance is overshadowed somewhat by Fuhrman's turn as Esther, but she still shines on her own.
So is this film worthy of purchase? If you enjoy psychological thrillers involving young children then, yes, I say go out and buy it. However, I do recommend to everyone else that you rent this film first. It's good, but I have no plans to add it to my permanent collection any time soon. |
Didn't Expect to Like this as Much as I Did!
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| Review Date: January 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: M. Majury, Bellevue |
| This movie was not what I expected at all. I thought a mildly gory "bad seed" tale. Instead, I was fascinated with the story, the acting, especially by "the Orphan" aka Esther, "Max" and Vera (the actress). Some might have felt the pace was slow, and yes, there were plot holes, but the pace added to the suspense, the plot holes kept some mild amusement, and "Huh?" moments, but that just made the film as one reviewer indicated a worthy candidate as a cult classic. The attention to details to create a compelling personality in Esther is to be commended. I recommended it to two friends who watched it after I did and they loved it too. Both felt Isabelle deserved an Oscar nomination and that she is an actress to watch. A very impressive thriller and the ending, although was both suprised and yet not, was one of the best plot twists I've seen in ages. Well done filmaking and acting. |
Two Best Female Acting Performances of 2009 in Farmiga and Fuhrman
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| Review Date: December 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Buster Bonez, Edmonds, WA United States |
| Fantastic believable acting performances all the way around with special consideration for Vera Farmiga and Isabelle Fuhrman. The writing and directing were good with some good support performances, but I'm now looking forward to what comes next from Farmiga and Fuhrman. Very compelling! |
Wow...
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Bill F. Armitage, Canada |
| Wow, it's really hard to say anything about this movie without spoiling the whole point and the surprise. Isabelle Fuhrman as the "Orphan" gave a fantastic performance, and the whole film is much more mature, and surprising, then you'd expect. No devils or monsters here... it doesn't need one. |
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