I see others dismissing this as a "college project" or condemning it because it isn't some a high budget flick. Is it a blockbuster? No, and it doesn't claim to be. It's more an arthouse film, but what it lacks in frills, it makes up in the overall aesthetics, IMO. While far from a direct translation of Poe's Fall of the House of Usher, the overall style & feel of the storytelling is there, with distinct nods to the theme. This film is an homage and took me right back to my "Poe era", when I just couldn't read enough of his darkly skewed creations.
The pacing isn't quick or to the point, because why would it be? Not every story has to be a fast paced info-dump. Part of the charm of Poe's writings was in his stylistic meandering and poetic phrasing, even in his non-prose works. This film gives that nuanced pacing and I enjoyed the similar phrasing of the narration. It adds to the aesthetic of the story and theme. It is it's own poetry of sorts. It takes a rather mundane setting of modern age and brings the dreary Gothic Dark Romanticism of Poe's unique style to life.
The plot is influenced, but still it's own animal, and I enjoyed the reveals within. I thought the acting was, in fact, very well done. There is a simplicity to each portrayal that spoke to realism and humanity of the characters.
In closing, if you love the style of Edgar Allen Poe's writings, and you don't mind a cerebral film experience, this is a great watch. One just has to be open-minded.
The pacing isn't quick or to the point, because why would it be? Not every story has to be a fast paced info-dump. Part of the charm of Poe's writings was in his stylistic meandering and poetic phrasing, even in his non-prose works. This film gives that nuanced pacing and I enjoyed the similar phrasing of the narration. It adds to the aesthetic of the story and theme. It is it's own poetry of sorts. It takes a rather mundane setting of modern age and brings the dreary Gothic Dark Romanticism of Poe's unique style to life.
The plot is influenced, but still it's own animal, and I enjoyed the reveals within. I thought the acting was, in fact, very well done. There is a simplicity to each portrayal that spoke to realism and humanity of the characters.
In closing, if you love the style of Edgar Allen Poe's writings, and you don't mind a cerebral film experience, this is a great watch. One just has to be open-minded.
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