Presence of Mind (1999) User Reviews

not 'the innocents' but a good one

[javik70 · 6/10 · 17 January 2003]

This movie is a good adaptation of the novel by henry james 'turn of the screw', thought it is not as scary and intense as the best adaptation of this novel 'the innocents'. First of all, it is quite surprising that this film is the first work of the director antoni aloy, and he managed to cast lauren bacall, harvey keitel and sadie frost, who all develope a correct performance. but ironically all these great actors can't fight with the kids, who act in a perfect way. the direction is quite correct and the cinematography and music are great. unfortunately due to economic problems this film hasn't been released in almost any country, just in spain in a few screens and it hasn't get the recognition it deserves.

A Bit Bland

[daver6 · 4/10 · 7 April 2020]

Interesting location in Spain, nice and sunny, however, it was a bit bland (and obvious) and I never felt any tension or anxiety throughout. Sadie Frost as the governess was mediocre at best, although she had a certain sexiness and wanton look about her which tied in with the underlying sexual tension. There is a full frontal of her, which although attractive, moves the film further from any unsettling atmosphere. The other actors were fine with Lauran Bacall taking the acting honours.

An example of why it did not generate any feelings of nervousness was the appearance on the water, which was so badly done and so obvious in how it was achieved. Contrast that with the same appearance in The innocents, the 1963 version of Turn of the Screw, where the appearance was genuinely creepy and unsettling.

So although worth watching, The Innocents remains the best version of The Turn of the Screw, as the acting of all, particularly Flora, and Miles with his knowingness, is far superior (apart from Lauran), and is a genuinely creepy and unsettling film.

Rating should be "R" instead of PG-13

[Aba74 · 5/10 · 4 October 2009]

I am surprise this movie only received a PG-13 rating? The frontal nudity and taboo subjects explored in this film warrants a "R" rating. I know European rating standards are different from the United States,but there should be a warning on the DVD. The movie wasn't scary as it tempted to address the psychological affects ghosts has on the children. I have seen several versions of this story based on Herny James "Turn of the Screw" This version rates average. The costumes and acting is far superior than the screenplay. The best "Haunted children movies" is by far Nicole Kidman's "The Others" brilliant acting and screenplay, which was influenced by "The Turn of the Screw" I have a bone to pick. Why hire a actor whose accent is not the same as the rest of the cast? That can be so annoying.

Let down by one actor

[rmeyerglass · 2/10 · 16 August 2022]

This movie is completely ruined by Sadie Frost who can't act and is rather too 'common' and for a period role. Shame really as it could have been rather good.

Acceptable and luxurious Spanish renditíon based on the vintage novel The turn of the Screw by Henry James

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 21 September 2019]

This known story deals with a governess played by Sadie Frost, who is assigned to care at a far mansion two children named Miles : Nilo Mur or Nilo Zimmerman , and his younger sister Flora : Ella Jones . She is hired by the uncle, the Master : Harvey Keitel, of the neglected kids. There is also a house keeper : Lauren Bacall , who knows about the past of the kiddies and the sinister mansion. As their souls have been possessed by dark forces . Then , there appears two creepy ghosts , Fosc : Agustín Villaronga and Jessel : Danica, the former and deceased workers who are corrupting the strange and innocent siblings.

Yet another renditíon full of chilling, and mysterious happenings about two brothers possessed by a sinister and uninamaginable evil . Being based on Henry James classic novel, including drama , tension , intrigue and frightening elements . It packs a lot of suspense, adequate suggestion and terror incidents. The film displays glamorous costumes by the prestigious and Oscarized designer Ivonne Blake as well as gorgeous cinematography by David Carretero and splendid interior and exteriors, being shot on location in island of Majorca . Furthermore , an eerie and suspenseful musical score by Angel Illaramendi . This academic and decent motion picture was well produced by Enrique Cerezo, Gil Carretero and professionally directed by Antonio Eloi. This is his only film, previously directed shorts and wrote the film El Mar directed by Agusti Villaronga who here plays a feared role as Fosc.

Other adaptations about The turn of Screw are the following ones : the best and classic The innocents 1961 by Jack Clayton with Deborah Kerr , Pamela Franklyn , Martin Stephens . A prequel titled Nightcomers 1971 by Michael Winner with Marlon Brando, Stephanie Beacham, Harry Andrews. Turn of the Screw 1974 by Dan Curtis with Lynn Redgrave, Eva Griffith . Otra vuelta de tuerca 1985 by Eloy de la Iglesia with Pedro Maria Sanchez, Queta Claver. Turn of the Screw 1989 by Graeme Clifford with Amy Irving , David Hemmings. 1992 version by Rusty Lemorande with Patsy Kensit , Julian Sands , Stephanie Audran . 1999 remake by Ben Bolt with Jodhi May , Pam Ferris , Colin Firth .

The screw turns once again.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 10 August 2023]

In my movie research, I keep coming across various versions of Henry Miller's play, having seen probably 3 others within the past year (not including "The Innocents" from 1961). There have been prequels and versions that focused more on the children than the new nanny, and several set in different places than Miller's original. This is one of those, and it's actually the best I've seen outside of the 1961 Deborah Kerr classic.

Starring young Sadie Frost whose nanny is barely past adolescence herself, this also gives more screen time to the housekeeper, played with strength and mystery by Lauren Bacall, maybe not as vulnerable as others, but outside of knowing the darkness of the past, not a dark character. She's actually subservient to Frost, even though she has years of senority on her as housekeeper to Harvey Keitel.

He has left the running of the house to Bacall and his niece and nephew to Frost, chosing to travel and making promises to drop by which he does not keep. Obviously he wants no part in raising them, and that gives Frost the opportunity for damage control, threatening her sanity as she deals with evil spirits still roaming around. The beautiful grounds are a sight to behold but the ghosts are definitely sinister which adds beauty and tension. A better structure for this version and strong performances by two very different actresses makes for a better film overall.

A stunning re-adaptation of a Henry James classic.

[panchita_jones · 8/10 · 20 November 2000]

I had the privilege to watch the world premiere screening of this film at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. It is a visually stunning film that draws you in from the very beginning. This first-time director from Mallorca, Spain, was fortunate to have two powerful actors in his film - Harvey Keitel and Lauren Bacall - and used them both superbly. Bacall's performance was the most impressive as well as the rich costumes and set designs. Nilo Mur, in the role of Miles, was the surprise enchantment of the film. Don't miss it!

Tightest Turn of the Screw

[beorhouse · 9/10 · 22 October 2017]

I have seen all of the film adaptations of the book Turn of the Screw by Henry James, and this one is by far the best visually as well as psychologically. The addition of the sexual abuse of the governess herself at the hands of her own father pulls the plot together nicely by explaining her confusion and angst and fight, if not severe enough in the end, to protect the children in her charge and to take authority over the unclean pedophile spirits that infest the mansion. Bottom line? She is struggling with pedophilia herself, and this is made evident by her interactions with the prepubescent boy in her charge--her eye contact, her physical proximity, her lack of discretion at night when she is dressed only in her chemise and he is nude. He is not a small boy, but near his teenage years--and she is only in her early twenties. The housekeeper in this version pretends to be against the pedophilia that has been occurring at the house, but she makes it obvious that she has really enjoyed the whole thing, even if, as she says, it was fear that kept her from stopping it. Caveat: this film has full frontal nudity in one scene where we are invited to explore the voluptuous body of the governess while viewing her cigar burns and jagged scars made, we assume, by whips, knives, and other damaging instruments. Starring Harvey Keitel as the uncle and Lauren Bacall as the housekeeper.

Interesting for comparison to both the original story and The Innocents (1961)

[Milk_Tray_Guy · 6/10 · 20 April 2024]

Little seen 1999 Spanish-American version of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw. Stars Sadie Frost, Lauren Bacall, and Harvey Keitel (Antoni Aloy was a first time director - not sure how he managed to assemble such a cast for this very low-budget (around $3 million) production). The location is transferred to a small Spanish island estate, but the story is essentially the same. Bacall easily dominates in the acting. Keitel is good but is actually seen very little. Frost is okay; in fact I've always had a bit of a thing for her, but her attractiveness distracted me from seeing her as an uptight, repressed governess (Deborah Kerr in Jack Clayton's 1961 version The Innocents was spot-on). The child actors (Ella Jones and Nilo Mur) are good, and the ghost sightings are fairly creepy, but the sense of tension could be stronger. It's competent, but nothing outstanding. 6/10.