FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York, NY (Feb 1, 2013)
How did Jack Clayton’s classic The Innocents (1961) influence Andres Muschietti’s Mama (2013)? Steve Head and David Kleiler discuss the two films, as part of Diabolique’s comprehensive coverage of them in Issue 14. Click Here to Listen.
PLUS: DIABOLIQUE WEBCAST Episode No. 13: When Horror Came to Shochiku
Steve Head, Brett Michel, and Jake Mulligan discuss Criterion’s Eclipse
Series 37: When Horror Came to Shochiku Collection, which includes such
Japanese horror classics as The X from Outer Space; Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell; The Living Skeleton; Genocide. Click Here to Listen.
So, Tamar and I traveled over to the local Regal tonight to catch the
new film "Mama". Now, first things first, I fell for the whole
attaching someone's name to it gimmick. By that I mean, I, for whatever
reason, I thought Guillermo del Toro was responsible for this film.
Being a huge fan of his work, I was stoked to see another ghost story
from him. Come to find out, I simply wasn't paying any attention. He is
"Executive Producer" of the film.
With that being said, "Mama" is
the story of Annabel (Jessica Chastain) and Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) who are faced with the challenge of raising his young
nieces, Victoria and Lilly, after they are abandoned, by their Father,
in the forest for 5 years. Once they are finally found, they are "wild",
especially Lilly. However, who is it that has been raising them for 5
years? It ain't the TV!
What I enjoyed about the film the most,
was the beginning of the film, when we are introduced to young Victoria
and Lilly. Their innocence, which is portrayed so very well by the young
girl who plays Victoria (Morgan McGarry), comes across insanely
natural. Having a daughter myself, I automatically thought about her and
how she would feel, if she was in that situation.
As for the rest
of the film, the storyline is not truly unique. Yet, the cinematography
makes up for it. There really are no weak links in the cast. They each
hold their own, and push the story forward. I, personally, feel that the
lack of horror experience, when it comes to the writers (Neil Cross,
Andrés Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti) and the director (Andrés
Muschietti), is really what kept this from being such a better film.
But, hey, who am I to say. Anyway, If you are considering seeing this or
the new Texas Chainsaw... I would say... go see "Mama".
