Khartoum, Flatland Pictures, Saturn Harvest Films
Mira Sorvino, Justin Kirk, Tony Curran, Shane West, Muse Watson, Deobia Oparei
The Presence is a story of a damaged woman (Mira Sorvino) who is all alone at a cabin on an island out in the middle of nowhere. However there is a ghost (Shane West) haunting the cabin. When her boyfriend shows up (Justin Kirk) it becomes clear that the woman has serious trust issues. The spirits also are affecting her and trying to send her over the edge in this creepy ghost story.
This is a strange movie. I really loved it, and I have to admit it is not really a ghost story, even though it’s about ghosts. It’s also not your typical horror story. But it is about trust and love, and good versus evil. The woman sure had some evil things happen to her which are being reinforced by and evil spirit who wants to send her into irrational madness. The scenery is spectacular, and the first half hour of the film hardly has any dialog at all. We feel the extreme loneliness by being alone in this cabin with no electric or running water. This is a very soft and slow movie, with not a great deal of scare, but it’s is almost like an excellent painting. Very beautiful and enjoyable. Mira Sorvino was really good as a tormented lady. There are only about 5 people in this whole film. But the experience is very enjoyable as it’s being disturbing.
I hate to say too much about it and spoil the effect, but it a very dark romantic story more than anything. I really enjoyed watching it. Just remember, it’s not a blood and guts slasher film, it’s an allegory about a ghost. Very well done film, and not on anyone’s radar. I really enjoyed it.
EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog
Movie Review - The Presence (2010) {PG-13},
Tom P said
November 21 2011 @ 3:03 pm
Ed –
Tom Provost, writer/director of THE PRESENCE here. I was sent your review this morning and wanted to say thanks for taking the time to review it and I am so glad you enjoyed it. We were indeed trying to do something different, and I am glad you appreciated what we were going for. Thanks again and it is great to find your website.
Tom
EdG said
November 21 2011 @ 3:55 pm
Thanks for taking the time to send me this note. I really appreciate it. My wife is a horror movie fan, big time, and I enjoy them as well. We sat down to watch this on DVD expecting a horror film. What we got was so much better! I really loved the way this story was so different than what I expected going in, and both of us enjoyed it very much. When it was over, we sat and talked about it for a long time. That’s very unusual, as most of the time you just click off the TV and move on, but this one stayed with me for a long time. I hope I can help to encourage other people to take the time to seek it out, as it was really very well done.
Tom P said
November 21 2011 @ 6:40 pm
hey! My pleasure and thanks to you again. That is all very cool to hear. And it would be great for you to get the word out, much appreciated.
Eric Goettman said
November 21 2011 @ 8:31 pm
I have not seen this one yet, but I most definitely will now. My wife is not much for the typical Horror flim but after reading this post and the comments, I will give it a try, and will be back to let you know what I thought.