THE ATONING

GHOST TALE WITH A TWIST

 

Film review by Fiore

OVERALL:

There’s been an influx of Independent horror films recently, due to the up coming Halloween season. THE ATONING is one definitely worth a look.  It’s not particularly scary, and the ghosts and demons leave a bit to be desired, yet the film has a fresh approach to a stereotyped genre that sets it apart from the other horror films in this year’s cache.

That approach is sufficient to earn kudos for Michael Williams, who in true Indie film fashion, wears many hats in this film.  Any time this happens, at least one element will suffer.  Still, Williams shows enough talent that I hope he will return soon, with a bigger budget, to the horror genre.

PLOT:

 

Ray, Vera and Sam are a family struggling with dysfunctional elements when their other worldly encounters begin. Vera, played by Virginia Newcomb, is a mom deeply concerned for her son, Sam, played by Canon Bosarge.  The boy seems fragile, and Vera is compounding his neurosis by smothering him with overprotective behavior.  Michael LaCour is Ray, the father, who seems tolerant of his wife’s behavior though concerned his boy should not be deprived of his childhood. There is also friction between Ray and Vera. She will not sleep with him and opts for the couch, chair or even the hallway rather than sleep in their bed.

Amidst this turmoil, the family is plagued by apparitions, with seemingly hostile intent.  The interfering ghosts are played by Dorothy Weems, Alex Zuko, Sherrie Eakin, and Ashlynn Lopez.  Toss in a few demons, and a spiritualist, and you have the makings of a convoluted, but functional ghost story.

All actors offer solid performances.  Bosarge is a standout, playing the protected child who is more mature than his parents credit him.

PARTICULARS:

Most of the particulars for THE ATONING fall to Williams.  In true Indie film fashion, he wrote, shot, edited, directed and produced the movie.  Wearing all those hats generally means something suffers.  This film is no exception.  The conclusion is weak and predictable.  Interesting characters slump into mundane stereotypes. It’s almost as if Williams backed himself in a corner with his other duties and was looking for the easiest way out.

The demons are lame.  Outside of grabbing hand shots, like the Creature from the Black Lagoon, they are nothing more than Al Jolson carbon copies.  A bigger SFX budget would help here.

REPORT CARD:

ACTING = B

CINEMATOGRAPHY = B

SOUND/MUSIC = C

EDITING = C

LIGHTING = B

SCRIPT = C

SFX = C

ACTION = C

 

SUMMARY: 

THE ATONING is worth a view or two due to its fresh approach to the genre.  I must admit I’ve seen so many of these films it didn’t take me too long to glean the gist, but it was still fun watching the plot unfold.  Some may argue this technique was used in Tim Burton’s BEETLEGUISE, but that film was a comedy and this one is not.  I think you’ll like THE ATONING for its approach, even if it falls flat at the end.

REWATCHABLE INDEX: Average