Molland's Community

[keeba]

Just saw PAN'S LABYRINTH and wow.  It just shot to the top of my best of the year list.  If you had any illusions that this film is a sweet and gentle fantasy film, check them at the door.  It's a brutal movie, completely inappropriate for children.  The plot has more to do with the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War than the young heroine Ofelia's fantasy world.  It's about 80% real world, 20% fantasy world.  But the fantasy aspect of it isn't just tacked on.  It's crucial to the story.  I don't want to say too much because I think it's better if you see it cold.  Just be prepared for some unpleasantness.

The cast is uniformly excellent, starting with young Ivana Baquero as Ofelia.  She is terrific.  Sergei L�pez [DIRTY PRETTY THINGS] is pretty terrifying as a sadistic captain in Franco's army.  Maribel Verd� [Y TU MAM� TAMBI�N] plays the housekeeper who befriends Ofelia.  Doug Jones [Abe Sapien in HELLBOY] plays 'the Faun'.  He's never actually called Pan in the movie [the literal translation of the Spanish title is "The Labyrinth of the Faun"].  Poor Jones, hidden under pounds of latex once again.

Before the movie, I met my sister and a friend at the Stone Bistro for lunch.  When we told the waitress that we were going to see PAN'S LABYRINTH, she exclaimed "Oh, I want to see that!  I just loved LABYRINTH!"  She thought it was a sequel to the old Jim Henson film with David Bowie.  She's going to be very surprised if she goes to see it with those expectations.  And yes, I did warn her.

[Kelley B]

I saw this the other weekend and haven't been able to get it out of my head since.  Talk about a film that just sucks you in and keeps you mesmerized the entire time!  I actually left the theater with tears running down my cheek, (a rarity for me) it was so good.  I was surprised by some of the more violent scenes, not because I wasn't expecting them (I knew going into it the film would have scenes like that) but because I couldn�t' figure out how they made it all look so real! 

The story itself is so striking.  The ugly reality Ofelia was trapped in and the thrilling fantasy she uses to escape.  The Captain's quest to purify Spain and Ofelia's dream of fighting for something better.  The whole thing was so haunting, a feeling that was only enhanced by the soundtrack.  I've since bought the CD and have been listening to it quite a bit.  Pan's Labyrinth now ties with Children of Men as my favorite films of 2006. 

I was actually appalled on my way out when I saw a father walking out with a little boy who couldn't have been more than 6 years old.  I wonder if he had a similar idea about the film that the waitress did.  "Oh, it has Labyrinth in the title and stars a little girl who has interesting creatures for friends.  It must be child-friendly!"  Next time, pay a little more attention to the adverts buddy. 

[Kelley B]

For anyone who's had a chance to see this movie, then you'll surely remember that scene with Captain Vidal, a needle and some thread.  I remember I had to keep reminding myself that it was special effects, it looked so real.  Anyway, Entertainment Weekly has a really cool interview with Guillermo del Toro on how he made that scene.  I just love movie magic 

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20013177,00.html

[Heather L]

Somewhat related (since it's mentioned in the article) -- Kelley, you probably noticed that the Playing with Canons anthology features a 2005 stage play of The Man Who Laughs.  The director's note talks about the silent film.

[Kelley B]

I thought that sounded familiar!  Now I know what I'll be reading this weekend   Thanks Heather!