Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Review of STONEHEARST ASYLUM: Gothic Madhouse

November 10, 2014




Stonehearst Asylum was an institution for the mentally ill in Victorian era England. It was run by the stern and unconventional Dr. Silas Lamb (Ben Kingsley) when young Dr. Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess) went there seeking further clinical experience to be an "alienist" (the archaic term for psychiatrist). However, as he got to know the patients better, particularly the elegant Mrs. Eliza Graves (Kate Beckinsale), Newgate discovered that there was something seriously wrong afoot in the asylum. Newgate had to figure out quickly what was going on as his very life also lay on the line.

Jim Sturgess is quite a versatile actor in the few films I have seen him in. From a nobleman in "The Other Boleyn Girl" to a card shark in "21" then to a hopeless romantic in "Upside Down" to his multiple roles on "Cloud Atlas", this guy is a chameleon. I did not even recognize him at all in this role, with all the facial hair he was sporting. He played the perfect doctor here, effectively projecting kindness, compassion and the will to be of help and service despite all odds and threats. 

Kate Beckinsale first gained wide attention in "Pearl Harbor" back in 2001. She never really became a superstar even if she starred and is remembered for supernatural action films like "Van Helsing" and "Underworld". Her character Eliza is purposely written to be mysterious here, and she did well enough in it just by looking too ironically beautiful and well-dressed to be an asylum patient.

Ben Kingsley always had that ability to act like his character is teetering between sanity and madness, and he does so very well again here, with stone-faced glee. He can really command the screen whenever he is on. Other respected veteran actors Michael Caine and Brendan Gleeson are also in there, both also playing doctors, but sadly, with so much shorter screen time than we would like them to have. 

Sophie Kennedy Clark plays a playful young nurse Millie who provides some humor in the tense proceedings in the first half. If you only knew David Thewlis as the kind werewolf professor Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter films, you've got another thing coming here with his mad, over-the-top performance as the asylum groundskeeper Mickey Finn.

"Stonehearst Asylum" is a gorgeous period film with meticulous production design and richly detailed costumes. Director Brad Anderson creates a dark Gothic mood perfect for the delivery of this crazy and twisted story written by Joe Gangemi, based on a short story by master of classic suspense himself, Edgar Allan Poe entitled "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether". The topnotch British cast make up for whatever the script and direction may have lacked. Despite the drab title and weak promotional push, fans of gothic romance and mystery will enjoy every twist and turn this dark yet entertaining film had to reveal. 7/10.


20 comments:

  1. I find your review interesting. That said, I am now curious with the movie.There's nothing to do really than watch it to see for myself.

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  2. Sounds like a good movie!Ben Kingsley is my favourite! He performed the character of Gandi so well in the epic movie on Indian freedom struggle.

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  3. I havent heard of this movie but it sounds good. A fab review x

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  4. Excellent movie review, and the artistes are versatile for their roles. I like Jim Sturgess and Ben Kingsley for their acting prowess.

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  5. This is a very interesting movie. I just checked the trailer in YouTube and it's full of mystery! Thanks for not saying much so the movie remains mysterious for us who haven't watched it :)

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    1. Thank you. I really try my best not to spoil the story for my readers. There is so much more to the story than what I wrote. :-)

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  6. That's a high rating, 7/10, you're getting me curious about the movie now. I've always admired Kate Beckinsale and yes she doesn't get the limelight she deserves.

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  7. Is this a new film or from a few years back? Haven't heard of it coming out in the local cinemas :(

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    1. This just showed in local cinemas last Wednesday Nov. 12.

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  8. Totally not the kind of movie I would like to watch, however do like the review! All your film reviews are always so well thought out! :) Simone x

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  9. "with meticulous production design and richly detailed costumes"

    This is something I am also so meticulous about...hmmm, now this makes the movie interesting to me. I love these kinds of movies... Should search this from my movie buddies... Thanks for sharing! :-)

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  10. I'm a fan of Kate Beckinsale from her movies. I like how the movie can lead you on with its mysteries and it would be nice to watch this.

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  11. Your rating for the movie is quite high! But I've never heard of it nor watched any similar trailer might be doing some research on this soon!

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  12. This sounds like a real interesting movie! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review :)

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  13. Thank you for this review! I've heard of the movie but I didn't know my faves Kate Beckinsale and Jim Sturgess are in it! Will definitely watch this film! :)

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  14. Generally, I'm not a fan of Horror or Gothic flicks, but that over the top performance you mentioned had me laughing and curious to see the scene. Who knows, I might see it.

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  15. Oh gosh, I'd have to give this one a miss I think! I'm way too much of a wuss for horror films.

    Sara | This Girl Loves

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  16. I'm a fan of period pieces but more on the romance category not suspense. But this film got me curious and might just have to check it out some more. Thanks for the heads-up Fred!

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  17. Love Kate Beckinsale! Excellent review!

    www.simplysassysstyle.com

    dawn

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  18. I bet there's a lot of twist in this movie. And that is why I love twisted thriller movies

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