Paperhouse (1988)

A young girl lost in the loneliness and boredom of reality finds solace in an ill boy, whom she can visit in a surreal dream world that she drew in her school composition book.

Director:

Bernard Rose

Writers:

Catherine Storr (novel), Matthew Jacobs (screenplay)

Stars:

Charlotte Burke, Jane Bertish, Samantha Cahill

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charlotte Burke	...	Anna Madden
Jane Bertish	...	Miss Vanstone
Samantha Cahill	...	Sharon
Glenne Headly	...	Kate Madden
Sarah Newbold	...	Karen (Anna's school friend)
Gary Bleasdale	...	Policeman
Elliott Spiers	...	Marc
Gemma Jones	...	Dr. Sarah Nicols
Steven O'Donnell	...	Dustman
Ben Cross	...	Dad Madden
Karen Gledhill	...	Nurse
Barbara Keogh	...	Hotel receptionist

Storyline

Anna is becoming lost in the loneliness of her own world when she discovers she can visit another, a house she has drawn herself and occupied by a young disabled boy. But as she discovers more of the links between her fantasy world and the mundane present, she is drawn only deeper into a dream turning into a nightmare.

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Plot Keywords:

boy | dream world | girl | nightmare | dying | 

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Taglines:

Is anybody there?

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paperhouse - Alpträume werden wahr

Filming Locations:

Highgate Station, London, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$241,278

Company Credits

Production Co:

Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stanley Myers receives a composer credit though his score was rejected by the producers for not having enough edge. Hans Zimmer was working as Myers' assistant at the time and insisted that he could properly score the movie in time for its release. Within a couple of years Zimmer would become one of the most sought-after composers in Hollywood and his popularity continues to this day.

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Goofs

When Anna is lying in bed, the boom mic visible in top center of screen.

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Quotes

Kate Madden: Go away please

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Connections

Referenced in Candyman (1992)

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Soundtracks

Requiem
Music by Gabriel Fauré
Performed by Choristers of Westminster Cathedral
Published by Editions Harnelle
Arranged by Stanley Myers (uncredited)

User Reviews

Excellent psychological drama

This is a wonderfully written and well acted psychological drama. It is not really a horror flick so those looking for something like The Ring or The Grudge will be disappointed. What really surprised me about this film was the intelligence and subtle attention to detail in the plot and the effort made to be internally consistent. I also appreciated the absence of Dr. Phil psychobabble or New Age revisionism. Rather than advancing an agenda, the filmmakers just told the story, told it well and let the viewer think about it. The sparse dreamscapes were reminiscent of Wyeth paintings and amazingly effective.

A great example of how to make a good film on a small budget, without big studios, star actors, big-name directors (this was far better than many of Hitchcock's films), special effects or "clever" plot twists.