"Für Elise" is a Beethoven composition with a haunting refrain. The mysterious Elise, whose identity is lost to history, is as enigmatic as the fictional Carl Dusseck, who made the music box that has tormented those who open it and listen to Beethoven's immortal music.
Anna Malone is a workaholic restorer of old houses, who loses her husband and daughter in a tragic car accident. She feels responsible because they had to go out of their way to the soccer field when she forget to purchase snacks.
Later, Anna may have an opportunity to atone, due to the magical music box that belonged to her mysterious aunt, Helena Bruckner. But does the music box really offer those powers? Or, does it merely send Anna on a frustrating journey into the Twilight Zone in different planes of time?
The conceit of the film is intriguing enough to do Rod Serling proud. Anna travels through time on each occasion that she opens the music box. But young Billy Moss may be prophetic in warning Anna about the box's dangers. He witnessed first-hand how it destroyed the life of Anna's aunt. Each time the music plays, a door opens to parallel time, sending the listener into the unknown. It is all random, and, according to Billy, it is a fate worse than death.
The actress playing Anna did a splendid job of capturing the Kafkaesque feeling of helplessness against the capricious music box. The teleplay offered a good assortment of supporting characters, including Anna's co-worker Charlie, her best friend Susan, and the elderly couple Mr. and Mrs. Walkin, who run a bed and breakfast dear Aunt Helena's home. The jovial Mac Walkin possesses one of the secrets that may offer Anna to end her torment once and for all.
The film was lively and well-paced with a good array of subplots. After watching this film, one will never hear a rendition of the popular "Für Elise" again in the same way. Next stop: The Twilight Zone!
Anna Malone is a workaholic restorer of old houses, who loses her husband and daughter in a tragic car accident. She feels responsible because they had to go out of their way to the soccer field when she forget to purchase snacks.
Later, Anna may have an opportunity to atone, due to the magical music box that belonged to her mysterious aunt, Helena Bruckner. But does the music box really offer those powers? Or, does it merely send Anna on a frustrating journey into the Twilight Zone in different planes of time?
The conceit of the film is intriguing enough to do Rod Serling proud. Anna travels through time on each occasion that she opens the music box. But young Billy Moss may be prophetic in warning Anna about the box's dangers. He witnessed first-hand how it destroyed the life of Anna's aunt. Each time the music plays, a door opens to parallel time, sending the listener into the unknown. It is all random, and, according to Billy, it is a fate worse than death.
The actress playing Anna did a splendid job of capturing the Kafkaesque feeling of helplessness against the capricious music box. The teleplay offered a good assortment of supporting characters, including Anna's co-worker Charlie, her best friend Susan, and the elderly couple Mr. and Mrs. Walkin, who run a bed and breakfast dear Aunt Helena's home. The jovial Mac Walkin possesses one of the secrets that may offer Anna to end her torment once and for all.
The film was lively and well-paced with a good array of subplots. After watching this film, one will never hear a rendition of the popular "Für Elise" again in the same way. Next stop: The Twilight Zone!