Buy the DVD:

Gothika

I enjoyed watching Gothika, even though the scenes did look far better and creepier than the story as a whole, but it left me glad that I did see it. Gothika, like other ghostly thrillers worked for me because of the mysterious presence, the unexplainable phenomena causing irrational behavior, in a rational and secure mind.

A ghost story premise always has the ability to reinvent and improve itself, making you see things you haven't seen before or terrifying you by those experiences, in a way not thought imaginable. That is what makes a classic, a haunting reminder of that story being replayed in the back of your mind on a stormy night. Gothika has a sampling of that on its menu. I do appreciate a dreary, cold, impersonal and somber looking atmosphere with a subtle dose of something sinister, slowly making its rounds quietly and at times, sneakily. I also liked the disturbing use of florescent lighting, the dingy and unhealthy looking prisons cells and the eerie gloom that consumed the hospital.

Berry and Downey Jr. were key in making this movie work and I think they did just that, as their great performances elevated the movie making it a decent thriller.

The story of Gothika takes us to Woodward Penitentiary where criminal psychologist Miranda Grey (Halle Berry), wife of hospital administrator Dr. Doug Grey (Charles Dutton), treats an extremely disturbed woman. Dr. Grey's belief in his wife's brilliant mind is evident by his assistance in helping her see clearly whenever in doubt.

Miranda, a gifted doctor, who can pin point any diseased brain with exceptional and rational explanations, has made her the most respected doctor at Woodward. Although Miranda, like many caring and intelligent doctors, can only see what is in front of her. This leaves Miranda frustrated because her patient, Chloe Sava (Penelope Cruz), confessed to her that Satan rapes her in her cell. Even though Chloe tries to let Miranda into her world that terrifies her so much, Chloe can't trust Miranda, for Miranda doesn't believe her. Frankly, Chloe feels Miranda thinks she's crazy and how will she prove to Miranda that what she is telling her is the raw truth and not a psychotic delusion, before it happens again?

After a grueling day, Miranda is on her way home to meet her husband. The weather is nasty and raining heavily. Miranda is soon stopped by Sheriff Ryan (John Carroll Lynch), her husband's best friend from childhood. He tells Miranda the road is washed out and to take the detour over the bridge.

All of Miranda's rational beliefs will be blown out of the water after she swerves and crashes her car. Out of the blue, Miranda sees a young girl standing on the road. Miranda confronts the girl who is bloody, shaken and dripping wet. Nothing could prepare Miranda for the horror she was about to witness next.

Three days later Miranda wakes up as a patient charged with the brutal murder of her husband. Along with being institutionalized on a crime she doesn't remember committing, Miranda is also being haunted by the girl she found on the road, a girl who has been dead for four years and the daughter of Phil Parsons (Bernard Hill), a doctor at Woodward who believes his daughter committed suicide.

Are the haunting visions and inflicted physical pain Miranda is suffering from, based on the mind of a sane or sick person? Or are they the cries of a tortured and lost soul looking for closure to an unsolved crime Miranda can help solve?

Pete Graham (Robert Downey Jr.)is a doctor on staff with odd interests and a perplexing personality, who is going to be the one in Miranda's life that will either help prove or disprove her sanity.

The DVD extras include an audio commentary by director Mathieu Kassovitz and director of photography Matthew Libatique, theatrical trailer and a music video by Limp Bizkit performing a fantastically awesome version of the classic song "Behind Blue Eyes."

Gothika will make for a good rental, especially if you are fans of Berry and Downey Jr. I'm also a fan of Charles Dutton, but unfortunately he's not in the movie for all that long which is too bad. I was really taken by Penelope Cruz's performance and thought she did a marvelous job. Honestly, I'm not that familiar with her work, but if she's anything like she was in this role, though limited, I'd look into watching more by her.

Overall, not a disappointing movie, just a little obvious at times. Still, it has enough of an interesting look and feel about it to keep one entertained. It might even make you jump a few times.

Written by: Lynda Dale MacLean

Reviewers Rating: 6.5
Reader's Rating: 6.11
Reader's Votes: 9

Rate It