The Woman In Black: Film Review

FILM TITLE: The Woman in Black

YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2012

DIRECTOR: James Watkins

GENRES: Horror, Drama, Thriller

BREIF PLOT OUTLINE:

In London, lawyer Arthur Kipps still grieves the death of his beloved wife Stella on the delivery of their son Joseph four years ago. His employer gives him a last chance to keep his job, and he is assigned to travel to the remote village of Cryphin Gifford to examine the documentation of the Eel Marsh House that belonged to the recently deceased Mrs. Drablow. Arthur has a cold reception at the village. He then meets solicitor Jerome who advises him to return to London. However, Arthur goes to the isolated manor and soon he finds that the unforgiving ghost of a woman dressed in black haunts Eel Marsh House.

THE BEST TWO SCENES:

I found the opening scene of the film impressive; this was due to the eerie feeling created with the innocence of the children and the chilling and almost contrapuntal music created by the music box. The montage of slow editing in this scene also creates tension, which is fulfilled when the music cuts out as the girls step onto the windowsill creating a sense of foreboding and panic. This feeling is then confirmed when the girls jump from the windows, as they drop from view there is restricted narration as you here the character that you suppose to be the mother scream. This is an immediate indication that the main theme of the film will be fear of death or violence to a family member.

I also thought that the rocking chair and toy scenes were very clever as they really gave the feeling of a supernatural source. Yet again I think that the feeling of panic is created due to the mundane items and the contrapuntal music combined with the unnaturally loud sound fx. I felt that the quick speed of the editing was also very effective in these scenes as it makes the viewer doubt what they are seeing. This is enhanced by shadows created by low key lighting.

GENERIC CONVENTIONS OF A HORROR FILM:

Watching this film has helped me to understand the importance of choosing the right locations and creating atmosphere with music. It has also helped me to understand how to pace a film, including enough jump scares to keep the audience interested (e.g. the tap of water turning on and the crow from the fire place) while not making them accustomed to the feeling. The slow montages throughout the film creates suspense, with sudden jumps into collision cutting during and quick montage scenes (while the ‘Woman’ is around) this contrast creates action and speeds up the heart rate very effectively.

The main character of Mr Arthur Kipps shows the ideology of feeling outside the CDI, he is a male and yet a single parent, he has also been widowed by his wife. This ideology is also seen in the ‘Woman’ as she has been kept from her son due to her insanity. Both of these characters also show the theme of isolation; while the ‘Woman’ has been isolated in a room on an island that is disconnected from the world, Kipps has isolated himself by not interacting fully with his child, or the world around him. In the film Kipps is portrayed as the male hero as he is constantly risking his own life in the attempt of saving others. The ‘Woman’ is the portrayal of the psycho killer as she has no solid motive for killing the children; she is committing the crime out of revenge, she is punishing others in the same way that she was punished (the inability to be near her child).

Cinematography is also used to create emotion, with expressionist angles; such as high angles to show the fragility of Arthur Kipps. The assumed point of view shots and hand held camera create a feeling of being watched, this makes the viewer feel uneasy, as they have been put in the position of the watcher.

Body horror, such as the girl (Victoria Hardy) spitting blood creates a feeling of panic and sadness as there appeared to be nothing to be done. This feeling of pathos is also heightened as the action is happening to a child. Creepy and enclosed locations play a central role in this film as they help to heighten the unsettling atmosphere, this in particular is felt when Mr Kipps goes onto the moor with the fog. As the fog closes in Kipps starts to see shadows and hear the screaming voices of an accident, as the he becomes more frantic, and lost, the viewer feels an impending sense of doom, with out being able to see where he is the viewer fears that Kipps will become in trouble without help.

Low-key lighting is also of great importance in the film, with the long shadows the viewer is unsure as to where the ‘Woman’ might be hiding. I feel that the film has an open ending, as there is no solid conclusion to what becomes of the ‘Woman’. And while the Kipps family is reunited it is not under happy circumstances.

ASPECTS TO AVOID AND INCLUDE IN OWN TRAILER:

I would like to include something that is similar to the opening scene in my trailer as it was atmospheric and creepy, I felt that the innocence of the actions made the scene relatable to real life, and therefore made it have a greater impact. This realistic feeling was brought about due to the contrapuntal music and the general innocence of children at play.

In my trailer I would try to avoid the aspects of the film that are wordier, such as scenes in the office with Kipps’ employer. I feel that this would disrupt the flow of the trailer and would make it less creepy. I think that another reason to avoid this style of scene is the use of shot type, with most being straight mid shots, it became repetitive and slightly boring to watch with out conveying much useful information. I will not use a scene like this in my trailer as I don’t feel that it would inspire an audience to watch the film.

MY FAVORITE SCENE:

I would have to say that my favorite scene is the opening of the film with the little girls. I think that this is because it sets the mood and tone for the rest of the film. I also think that it is my preferred scene because it is so chilling, this is due to the innocence of the children and the contrapuntal music of the music box. Even with this music playing I think that this scene manages to create an eerie silence that reinforces the film’s atmosphere. I also think that the timing in this scene made it one of the best in the film, I felt that the synchronization between the girls created a disturbing movement as if they had become a ghostly figure themselves.