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| THE SKELETON
KEY August 14, 2005 This afternoon I finally went to see "The Skeleton Key" starring Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, and John Hurt. I really enjoyed myself :) The movie itself was entertaining (in spite of what the reviewers had to say). The character of Carolyn Ellis is a departure from Hudson's roles in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "Dr T and the Women" - she's neither perky nor lovestruck in this horror/mystery/thriller. Ellis assumes a position as caretaker for invalid Ben Devereaux (Hurt) in an attempt to absolve herself of the guilt associated with her father's lonely death only a short time ago. Working in a spooky old Southern home has a sombering effect on Ellis - especially when she unearths a secret room opened by the skeleton key she received from Devereauz's sister, Violet (Rowlands). The mystery deepens as she discovers the history of the house's original caretakers.... a mystery shrouded in Hoodoo (no, not Voodoo... Hoodoo) - a sort of African/American Indian/European folklore mysticism that originated in the Southern US in the 19th Century. Perhaps the core premise of the movie is the certainty that "if you believe something is true, it is. If you think something does something, then it does." This is true about hypnosis as well, isn't it? If you believe you can go under you can. If you believe the hypnotist holds the power to help take you there, he/she does. It's that simple. If your interest in this movie wanes as the story unravels, don't discourage - the last 20 minutes and a surprise ending make this a fairly enjoyable flick. On a side note, if you ever wonder if fear is contagious, come to a horror movie with me sometime (smiles). I decided before I entered the theater that I was going to be scared by this movie... well and truly scared. "I hear this is really frightening", I breathlessly shared with Bill as we stood in line, all the while deliberately allowing my voice to carry. Quizzical looks from a few bystanders and slow nods from one or two others assured me that I had their attention. "They say it's one of the scarier movies released this year..." As we sat in our seats waiting for the curtain to part, I continued in staged whispers to talk about how frightening I found spiritual things like Hoodoo and Voodoo to be. As my whispers reached their ears, three or four different people glanced in my direction. One man nodded indulgently. To my delight, as the movie progressed, I found that there were a number of "startle scenes" (you know - those moments when the music builds and then a loud noise causes you to jump right out of your chair). As the plot began to unfold, I could feel the uneasiness begin to build within me (I can scare myself to death if I want to). Initially, I responded in soft but entirely audible gasps.... then... as the tension mounted, many around me heard a soft cry escaped my lips over one particularly delightful startle moment. It was then I began to truly enjoy myself. Those around me began to lean forward, engrossed in the film as well. With the next startling segment, several women around me gasped in unison. Wonderful!, I delighted. This was even easier than I thought it would be! The pièce de résistance occurred during one of the final scenes. (I won't tell you what happened and spoil the ending, but suffice it to say the man in front of me dropped his popcorn when his wife jumped and uttered a low, surprised scream.) Bill's still shaking his head and calling me the puppetmaster....  |
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