Crimson Peak★★3/4
House with walls that bleed
Why are her sleeves so dang large?
Tom is still pretty
In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds—and remembers.
WARNING: Possible spoilers ahead.
I was excited to see Crimson Peak for a number of reasons: 1. I think Guillermo del Toro creates some really unique and beautiful movies. 2. I like the actors in the movie. 3. I think Gothic horror is a fun genre. 4. Tom Hiddleston. (I can't lie to you guys.) Sadly, the combination of all of the above didn't make for a very good film.
Let's start with a few things I liked: Everything in the movie is very pretty. The costumes, the people, the sets, the scenery. Even when you get to the spookier stuff, it's still prettily done. The movie isn't too scary, either. There are some frightening parts, but it's not out to shock you for shock's sake. Plus: Tom Hiddleston pulls off Gothic finery extremely well.
I also appreciate that the movie was very much Edith's story. I can't remember where I saw it, but somewhere online I ran across a statement that said something like, had this movie been made in the past, the story would have been from Alan's perspective, rather than Edith's.
Now, for what I didn't like: The story itself is super predictable (and really icky, when all is said and done), and it doesn't always seem to know what it's doing; certain scenes stick out like they were added in from other films. I wanted to throttle Edith at times for just going with what obviously was some questionable stuff. (I mean, there's a giant hole in the ceiling of your house, and the walls bleed clay, and you're OK with living there? NOPE.) Some of the scarier parts felt more ridiculous than creepy. And, at times, the delivery of lines fell totally flat.
I tried to like this movie, I really did. Maybe I just missed what del Toro was trying to do with it. If you know, I'd love to hear it.
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