The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Peter Cornwell

Writers (WGA):

Adam Simon (written by) &
Tim Metcalfe (written by)

Release Date:

27 March 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Some things cannot be explained.

Plot:

After a family is forced to relocate for their son's health, they begin experiencing supernatural behavior in their new home, which turns out to be a former mortuary.

Plot Keywords:

Cancer | Mortuary | Funeral Home | Funeral Parlor | Reverend

Cast

Virginia Madsen	...	Sara Campbell
Kyle Gallner	...	Matt Campbell
Elias Koteas	...	Reverend Popescu
Amanda Crew	...	Wendy
Martin Donovan	...	Peter Campbell
Sophi Knight	...	Mary
Ty Wood	...	Billy Campbell
Erik J. Berg	...	Jonah (as Erik Berg)
John Bluethner	...	Ramsey Aickman
D.W. Brown	...	Dr. Brooks
John B. Lowe	...	Mr. Sinclair
Adriana O'Neil	...	Chemo Nurse
Will Woytowich	...	Cop
James Durham	...	Matt's Cell Mate
Darren Ross	...	Paramedic #1

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of terror and disturbing images.

Runtime:

92 min | 102 min (extended cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #44104) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Finland:K-15 | Brazil:14 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Netherlands:16 | Sweden:15 | Mexico:B15 | Hong Kong:IIB | South Korea:15 | Singapore:PG | Germany:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Teulon, Manitoba, Canada

Company:

Lionsgate

Trivia:

There are some authentic (i.e. not mocked up especially for the occasion) photos purporting to show ectoplasm in this movie. However, though they were seized upon as authentic at the time; most people now acknowledge that what is shown is regurgitated cheesecloth. (cf Mary Roach's "Spook")

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When the family is huddled on the bed, you can see reflections in the brass rails. (There is no fireplace lit [fire reflection] and no ghosts are present at that time.)

Quotes:

[Matt and Wendy sitting at the table looking at things they found in the floorboards]
Wendy: [looking at Matt] What?
Matt Campbell: [Looking at a picture of Jonah] Nothing.
Wendy: [to Matt] Matt come on, just give me a chance.
Matt Campbell: [Showing her the picture of Jonah] I've seen him.
Wendy: [to Matt] Shut up.
Matt Campbell: [Putting away the picture of Jonah] Gave you a chance.
Wendy: [to Matt] I'm sorry okay just, go on.
Wendy: [to Matt] Please.
Matt Campbell: [Continuing to show Wendy the picture of Jonah] I thought that I was hallucinating, but i have seen this kid, almost everyday since we've been here.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Suspiria (1977)

Soundtrack:

Feetsball Fun

Ultimately disappointing, even if I checked the closet an extra time

2009. The year of the almost good horror film. Less then half way through this movie season we have had a whole wad of horror/slasher/thriller movies that have come so close yet haven't make the cut. Instead, so far we only have The Univited that can lay claims to being a solid entry, but lagging behind in the just-not-good-enough clan is Friday the 13th, My Bloody Valentine, The Last House on the Left and now The Haunting in Connecticut.

I have actually seen the Discovery Channel documentary of the same name and the movie is not exactly loyal, but does take numerous elements into consideration when crafting this consistently creepy but ultimately familiar ghost flick. I do enjoy a film that relies on atmosphere and character drama to build tension and a sense of dread over the Hostel philosophy that spend all your budget on fake blood is the best way to proceed. Yet, as with many fright flicks the director loses confidence in the audience to stay interested on atmosphere alone and perforates the story with boo moments and just enough clichés to make it forgettable.

Diagnosed with cancer, teenager Matt Campbell (Kyle Gallner) is suffering far more from the lengthy car rides to treatment then he is from his tragic disease. Taking charge, Matt's mother (Virginia Madsen) finds a rental property in Conneticut just a short trip from the clinic. Moving away from their hometown, Matt, his father (martin Donnovan), younger sister and brother (Sophi Knight and Ty Wood), cousin Wendy (Amanda Crew) and mother think that they have found a godsend in the old but charming property. But the home has ties to something far more satanic as strange occurrences begin to plague Matt. Is it his medication, or is something more sinister after the weakened teen?

Director Peter Cornwell builds tension very well throughout the opening half of the film, peppering the atmosphere with terrifying visions from the eyes of Matt. Like most horror films however, things begin to dissolve in the latter portions as we are introduced to the token priest, the boo moments mount and we are subjected to silly flashbacks that do nothing to heighten the mood back to its original lofty footing. Thankfully some credibility is returned in a extremely creepy climax that will make you reconsider hiring a home inspector next time you look to move.

The performances, especially from Madsen and Gallner are quite solid and they keep things grounded as best they can as things go awry. But presenting its PG rating as more of a limitation than an opportunity to raise the bar ultimately left me fairly numb, even if I checked the closet an extra time the night after.

6.5 / 10.0

Read all my reviews at: http://www.simonsaysmovies.blogspot.com