Gothika (DVD, 2009, WS)

Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

We're entering that time of year where scary movies are a must.  Ok, so maybe I'm a little early.  But oh well.  Gothika, with its creepy cover seemed to fit the bill.

Miranda Grey is a psychologist.  She works at a Penitentiary in the psych ward.  After driving home and having an odd occurrence though, she wakes up only to find herself a patient in the same Penitentiary.  Worst thing is, everyone seems to believe she has committed murder, and something unnatural is stalking her.  But since she is now "crazy" she has no one to turn to for help.

Characters
Halle Berry: Miranda Drey
Robert Downey Jr: Pete Graham
Charles Dutton: Douglas Grey
John Carroll Lynch: Sheriff Ryan
Penelope Cruz: Chloe Sava
Bernard Hill: Phil Parsons

For as many famous actors that are in this movie, they are definitely under-utilized.  Berry gets the most screen time, and given that's she's supposed to be crazy for the larger part of the movie, that's definitely interesting.  But I think she does more screaming than talking.  Cruz probably has the next biggest role, and since she's an inmate too, again, there's not much meaningful dialogue going on.  Although she plays a convincing patient.  Downey Jr. barely has any time at all and I honestly didn't see the point in his part.  He doesn't add much to the movie at all or really develop any breakthroughs.  The Sheriff plays a more important role than him.  It's just weird that more time wasn't spent developing all these characters if they were going to have big names play them.

And the plot.  Well, let's just say you have to suspend disbelief for a lot of it.  And I'm not talking about the paranormal aspect of it.  To believe that Grey can go from being a doctor to a patient in the same place, within three days, just doesn't make sense.  It seems more logical that she would be in a hospital or other short-term facility rather than the penitentiary.  I liked the overall theme of being part crazy and part truthful and having noone believe you because you're in a psych ward though.  To me, that's more terrifying than the ghosts.  So much could happen to you and noone would believe you because you're in the facility.  You just have to hope the wardens aren't corrupt or sadistic. 

The overall scene was dark and shadowy.  It made me wonder why the facility didn't do something about their electric.  Especially when dealing with people with fragile psyches.  I know it was just the movie trying to be scary, but it was another unbelievable thing.  But it did set the tone for this being a horror film.  As did the special effects.  They were pretty well done and realistic and it seemed as if Grey was not in control of her own body when the paranormal was attacking her.  To cap it all off, we have "Behind Blue Eyes" as the song that plays at the end of the film (not much music otherwise) and to me that's always been a depressing song so it fits.

Not a great film but it's somewhat spooky.  If you like big name actors and decent special effects you'll tolerate it.  But if you're expecting spectacular writing and dialogue, this just isn't the movie for it.

Review by M. Reynard 2013

Recommend this product? Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older