Romanticizing: Orphan (2009)

"Orphan" (2009)

Inspired from my last post, I've decided to give this film a nice little review. Amidst a flurry of high-powered remakes and sequels last year, one sneaky little Summer sleeper managed to "scare" up some gravy, and raise some eyebrows. That movie was 2009's "Orphan." Released smack dab in the middle of Summer, the film gained a bit of controversy over its ad campaign that somewhat casted orphans in a bad light. The producers of the film denied these allegations, and the film's release surprisingly made a substantial amount of bank at the box office. I was one of the people who was interested in the film's negative publicity. At first, though, I didn't want to see it. Only after hearing a few positive reviews and also finding out that Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the producers, my interest grew and I subsequently went out to see the film. I got totally floored!!

For starters, the film was beautifully made. Director Jaume Collet-Serra gave the film a unique visual flair that gave the film class and grace, despite the horrors that unfold. The story, as it were, concerns two young parents Kate and John (played by Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard) who have two children (one boy and one girl), in which they decide to adopt a third child from an orphanage. This doomed couple meet Esther, a bright, charming 9-year-old child whose original family perished in a tragic fire. Recovering from the loss of the third child they were supposed to have, the couple adopt Esther and are immediately entranced by her. Eventually, the seemingly normal Esther starts to show her fangs. Not literally, folks.

Esther's bratty schoolmate has a mysterious "accident" at the playground (in a tense little scene). Esther also has ribbons on her neck and wrists and refuses to take them off. She also carries around a mysterious little bible everywhere she goes. A nun from the orphanage makes an unwanted visit and ultimately "disappears." Mere coincidences?? Fuck no. Innocent little Esther is on a rampage!! Not since "The Bad Seed" has a child been this evil. In fact, Esther could kick the shit out of little Patty McCormick!! Delivering the film's scenery-chewing performance, young actress Isabelle Fuhrman was ice-cold evil in her portrayal of Esther, even pointing a gun at her innocent little 5-year-old "sister," and threatening to cut off her "brother's" penis!!! And even though Regan MacNeil takes the cake in terms of evil children, she was possessed by the devil!! Esther didn't have Satan on her side. She had her cunning manipulative skills and her unhinged lunacy!!! I loved this character! Ms. Fuhrman gave us a great new pint-sized horror villain that we could root for (and against)!



See that? That's evil...

In terms of the rest of the cast, Vera Farmiga was excellent as a flawed, tragic character wanting to rebuild her life and her family. Another gifted actress of note is young little Aryana Engineer as the couple's deaf, mute 5-year-old Max. One particular scene I enjoyed was at the beginning of the movie when Kate read a story to Max in a total silent scene (with subtitles). This scene was remarkably well-staged, and served as the "calm" before the storm of Hurricane Esther...

A few weak links in the acting area were Peter Sarsgaard as the husband and Margo Martindale as Kate's therapist helping her through the death of their "third" child and Kate's former alcohol addiction. I didn't like these characters. Sarsgaard basically played his character as disbelieving of whatever his wife says, and the doctor is basically the same. During the movie, Kate starts suspecting Esther of various "occurences" that happen, and naturally nobody believes poor Kate. These characters were so fucking annoying, I really wanted Esther to dispose of them!! And that, folks, is proof of an awesome horror movie!!

And, now we get to the juicyness.... the ending. The ending to this film totally caught me by surprise and was WAY out of left-field!! I must insist that you should watch the movie to see what I mean (in case you haven't already). This ending is most definitely among my Top 10 favorite endings in a horror flick, but that's for another post...

All in all, I give "Orphan" a solid 4/5 stars (****)

It was beautifully-made, well-shot, well-acted, it had a nice pace, and a killer ending!! Highly recommended for horror nuts and/or any of you who want something a little "different." It was a nice, fresh, slick, dirty little spin on all of our beloved "evil children" movies. This flick is a keeper...

In conclusion, I'll leave you with a bizarre, twisted little noise-punk assault from classic late-70s New York group Teenage Jesus & The Jerks (featuring the incomparable Lydia Lunch). This song most definitely sums up this flick, and even should have played during the end credits...

"Orphans" by Teenage Jesus & The Jerks: