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| Gothika |
| Review Posted 4/8/04 |
 A
criminal psychologist (Halle Berry) awakens to find
that she's a patient in the same mental institution
where she works; she's being accused of murdering her
husband (Charles S. Dutton), but has no memory of committing
the murder. As she tries to regain her memory and convince
her co-workers of her innocence, a vengeful spirit uses
her as an earthly pawn, which further convinces everyone
of her guilt.
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Movie Overview:
Rating:
R
Starring:
Halle Berry
Penelope Cruz
Director:
Mathieu Kassovitz
Category:
Thriller
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Cady's Take: |
 Miranda
(Halle Berry) is a psychiatrist at a mental institution. She is married
to the hospital's director, Douglas Grey (Charles S. Dutton). One
night, after a particularly trying session with a patient, Chloe (Penelope
Cruz), who has visions of being raped by the devil, she is forced
to make her way home in a driving rainstorm. Without giving too much
away, an accident occurs and the next thing Miranda knows, she is
a patient in her hospital and has been accused of brutally hacking
her husband to death. Plain and simple -
Gothika is a train-wreck of a motion picture. Why is Miranda in
prison? Doesn't the unnamed New England state have due process?
She hasn't even been arraigned. I was ready to take the movie out
of the DVD player when Berry says, “I don’t believe
in ghosts, but they believe in me.” Oh Please!
The hospital cells are so drab and dim that you
wonder exactly how it’s conducive for positive mental growth.
Somebody fix the lighting, how long could you possibly allow lights
to flicker on and off in a place containing crazy people?! And how
is it that Miranda is able to escape from her cell several times
with ease, but no one else ever does?
I’ll add that Robert Downey Jr. has some fun
here playing Halle’s psychiatrist, but in the end, his character
is virtually irrelevant. It’s too bad because he is capable
of a lot more versatility that he is given a chance to show here.
I was completely let down by this film.
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Cady's Rating:
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| Kyle's Take: |
 Who
knew that Halle Barry could make such a bad movie? I do not want
to hear anyone tell me “for what it is, it’s a great
movie” because it is not a great movie for what it is –
which supposedly is a psychological thriller. Halle Berry plays
Dr. Miranda Grey, a psychiatrist at a mental hospital who is married
to her boss, played by Charles S. Dutton. Miranda has a terrifying
encounter on a back road on a rainy night with a naked girl/ghost
and then suddenly she is a patient – hold on, are you ready?
– at the same mental hospital where she was a psychiatrist.
Apparently she killed her husband! Wow! I know! It’s so crazy!
Robert Downey Jr. is the Most Likely Suspect, since
he spent the entire first half hour of the film following Dr. Grey
around, lurking in shadows and the torrential downpour. In fact,
I can’t think of a time during “Gothika” when
it was not raining, about to rain, or wet from recent rain. Enough
already I say! We also have a sheriff and a hospital administrator
that seem to possibly fit the bill as well. What this movie really
boils down to is not whether “Gothika” is good IF you
suspend your sense of logic, but whether this movie is so good that
your sense of logic is simply suspended. I read Roger Ebert’s
review of “Gothika” and was shocked that he gave this
movie three stars. THREE! Apparently if you can manage to overlook
how ridiculous this entire movie is, from sets to costume to dialogue
to PLOT, it is a terrific psychological thriller.
I was less than thrilled.
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| Kyle's Rating:
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| OVERALL RATING: 2
/ 10 |
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KEY: |
1 Star - All copies
of this DVD should be immediately destroyed.
2 Stars - Wouldn't
even watch this movie if you were getting paid.
3
Stars - Don't waste your time, there are
much better movies.
4 Stars - Wait
until this one comes out on cable.
5
Stars - Worth a rent if nothing better
is in. Recommended only for fans of the genre.
6
Stars - Entertaining, worth your rental
dollar.
7 Stars - A
solid rental, recommended viewing.
8
Stars - A must-see, everyone should enjoy
this movie.
9 Stars - One
of the best movies of the year. Guaranteed winner.
10
Stars - Don't rent, buy! Add this classic
to your personal collection.
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